ABUJA, Nigeria — The long-stalled construction of a second runway at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport has finally been boosted.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, announced on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, that it would allocate N825.8 million for the compensation and resettlement of the Jiwa community, affected by the construction.
FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, briefed the press after a closed-door meeting with Jiwa community representatives and other stakeholders.
“The Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, will pay the amount. Contractors can move to the site immediately after the money is disbursed,” Wike assured.
As part of the compensation package, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development will employ 12 community members, and the FCTA will hire an additional 10.
“This project will significantly benefit the community and create jobs,” Wike said.
In addition to financial compensation, the government also pledged to build the Tunga Madaki Bridge and a five-kilometre road connecting the bridge to the Jiwa community.
“The road will facilitate the easy movement of the people and will be included in the FCTA’s 2024 budget,” added Wike.
The administration also promises to construct a modern health facility in Jiwa to provide quality healthcare services.
“This is part of our commitment to ensuring that the community does not suffer due to the airport’s expansion but rather benefits from it,” Wike explained.
An undertaking, outlining the agreed terms between the government and the community, will be signed shortly.
The signatories include the permanent secretaries of the FCTA and Ministry of Aviation, the Chief of Jiwa, Alhaji Isa Idris, the Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Council, and the Commissioner of the Public Complaint Commission.
Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, lamented that compensation issues delayed the project.
“The Federal Executive Council approved the project in March 2022 and should have been delivered in July. Thanks to this agreement, we can finally move forward,” Keyamo said.
Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, disclosed that the project was awarded to four contractors, with CCECC Nigeria Limited serving as the major contractor.
Alhaji Isa Idris, Chief of Jiwa, mentioned that the initial compensation per hectare was pegged at N2.5 million but was later revised to N700,000 by the FCTA.
“We took the matter to the Public Complaint Commission because the initial offer was inadequate for our people to acquire new land. We are pleased that a resolution has been reached,” said Idris.
The successful negotiation between the FCTA and Jiwa community marks a significant milestone in the government’s ambition to improve aviation infrastructure.
Observers say that if properly executed, the new runway will not only relieve traffic at the airport but also bring significant economic benefits to the region.
