BY QUADRI SALIU
As Nigeria Federal Capital Territory, Abuja continues to evolve into Africa’s fastest-growing metropolis, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, on Tuesday said plans are at an advanced stage to relocate Jabi-Yakubu, Jabi-Samuel and Mabushi communities to Shere-Galuwyi.
According to her, the process of relocating others has commenced, and more communities would be permanently relocated next year.
Dr Aliyu explained that indigenous communities must be resettled if the territory wants to get rid of slums and prevent the already perceptible slide into urban decay.
The Minister spoke through her Special Adviser on Media, Austine Elemue.
Her statement read: ” FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, has expressed the determination of the FCT Administration to resettle the indigenous communities with a view to realising the dreams of the founding fathers of Abuja.
“She argued that indigenous communities should be resettled if the territory wants to get rid of slums and prevent the already perceptible slide into urban decay.
“Aliyu lamented that policy changes have constituted a major challenge to the resettlement issue, stressing that within 27 years, from 1976-2003, four major policy changes have affected resettlement policy in the Federal Capital Territory.
”She said it was incumbent to resettle and compensate these indigenous communities where the implementation of the approved development plans demands such.
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“Over these years, the need has continued to exist for development-induced displacement and resettlement as the nation’s capital has continued to evolve into Africa’s fastest-growing metropolis.
”The minister, however, assured that the Federal Capital Development Authority saddled with this responsibility is up and doing to see that communities due for resettlement are properly relocated.
”Aliyu revealed that already, the arrangements are in top gear to relocate communities such as Jabi-Yakubu, Jabi-Samuel and Mabushi to Shere-Galuwyi, adding that the process of relocating others has commenced, and more communities would be permanently relocated next year.”
