The FCT Administration requires about N200 billion to compensate and resettle villages within the 250 square kilometers of the Federal Capital City, Abuja.
The Minister, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed CON, dropped this hint, while receiving the Participants of the National Defence College, Course 23, 2014 that came on a study tour at the FCDA Conference Hall, Central Business District, Abuja on Thursday.
The Minister, who was represented at the occasion by FCT Permanent Secretary, Engr, John Obinna Chukwu, FNSE, remarked that the Administration has been innovative in tackling the infrastructural challenges in the Territory.
He emphasized that the ever-dwindling public funds available for infrastructural development made the FCT Administration to introduce the Abuja Land Swap policy to improve infrastructure as well as reduce the housing deficit in the Federal Capital Territory.
Senator Mohammed noted that in 1976 when the Federal Capital Territory was created, the government required only about N2 billion to resettle the natives although the value of N2 billion then was much.
He reiterated that what has propelled the cost of resettlement up was the increase in population of the natives due to birth and demographics.
According to him, the population of the natives then was manageable than what we have today as the families keep on growing.
The Minister remarked that the FCT Administration with the introduction of the Land Swap is today simultaneously is opening up 10 new districts armed with solution of resettlement and compensation that hitherto has become knotty.
He revealed that the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan has grossly impacted on the development of the entire 8,000 square kilometers of the Federal Capital Territory by changing its landscape for good.
Speaking earlier, the leader of delegation and Director, Curriculum Programme Development of the National Defence College, Commodore Aliyu Baba Lawal appreciated the warm reception accorded the participants.
Commodore Lawal called for continued robust collaboration between the FCT Administration and the National Defence College; stressing that the Administration has for a long time been partnering with the College.
