FCT: “They never asked for N1 billion in compensation for the emirs” – Wike praises Abuja community

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, praised the Tunga Madaki community in Abuja on Thursday after the completion of an access road.

Wike stated that the community never demanded one billion naira or any “tithes to the Emirs and Chiefs” before the road could be built.

He made the remarks during the commissioning of the newly constructed Airport Road (Bill Clinton Drive) to Tunga Madaki Community, a project marking President Bola Tinubu’s third year in office.

Wike urged that Tunga Madaki serve as a model for other communities throughout the capital.

“Mr President, you can see that of all the commissioning days, today appears to be different because we are in the satellite town. The people of Tunga Madaki have shown their appreciation to Mr President by coming out en masse to say now we can feel the impact of the government, now we know what governance is all about,” Wike said.

“This project came as a result of the government’s plan to build the second runway of the international airport, and we were about to pay compensation to the community for their land.”

“I want to say that this community should be an example to other communities to learn from them and not for collecting money from people.”

The Minister recalled that the community’s demands were limited to employment and roads, both of which have been fulfilled.

“They made two basic demands: they said we are willing to support the government and allow the construction to proceed, but the government please help us. We want employment for our people, we want a road for our community.”

“The community did not say if you don’t put one billion naira you won’t come, if you don’t give out youths money you will not come, if you don’t pay tithes to the Emirs and Chiefs you will not come. They made basic demands, and I want to thank the people of Tunga Madaki for making those demands.”

“They have given us the opportunity to know the problems here, but for you we won’t have known a community called Tunga Madaki. They requested jobs and by the grace of God we employed them,” he added.