Tinubu Releases N825.8bn Compensation For Abuja Indigenes, Gives Reason 

President Bola Tinubu-led federal government has compensated the indigenes of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, with N825.819 billion naira to allow the construction of a 4.2km second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

According to Channels Television, the announcement was made by Nyesom Wike, the minister of the FCT, on Tuesday, August 29.

The announcement came after a meeting between the minister and his counterpart in the Ministry of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, as well as officials of the ministries, agencies’ representatives and stakeholders in the affected community, Jiwa, in Abuja.

Wike disclosed that the N825.8bn would motivate the residents to vacate the community and seek their cooperation for the success of the 4.2 km second Abuja runway project.

The minister said the project was initially contracted in 2022. He also announced that the FCT administration would construct a 5km bridge in the Tunga Madaki community and build modern healthcare facilities.

Wike urged the contractors to resume the site immediately, stating that the approved funds would be released on Wednesday, August 30.

The announcement is coming barely two weeks after the former governor of Rivers State was sworn in as minister of the FCT.

Earlier, the Jiwa community opened negotiations with the federal government and demanded for N2.5 million compensation for each hectare.

Recall that Tinubu vowed not to sustain the economic strategy of the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

While delivering the opening remark of the NBA conference in Abuja on Sunday, the president said he would not sustain the policy of using the country’s meagre revenue to service debt.

According to Tinubu, the prosperity Nigerians yearn for would only happen if the country can do away with poverty.