By Ben Adoga, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike yesterday visited the demolished Ruga community off Wuye district.
Wike who drove through the bumpy dusty pathway for almost 1km into the shanty community addressed the people who have been outside since Friday that the demolition exercise took place.
After addressing the people, he set up a seven-man committee comprising security agencies, the Director of Lands and Director, Development Control to interface with the five-man delegation of Ruga leaders to make recommendations to the government.
While the committee commences on the assignment, the FCT Minister has instructed that pending the recommendations of the committee, no building should be re-erected, either permanent or temporary.
After addressing the Ruga dwellers, Wike addressed journalists reiterating that the land belongs to government dismissing the speculation of alleged land grabbing by government.
“We want them to bring five of their leaders to meet with the committee on Tuesday. But we will not fold our hands to allow any form of illegal activities going on here.
“Government has decided to investigate the matter and come out with a final decision. No amount of blackmail, intimidation and abuses will deter us, we must do our job, it doesn’t matter who they hire, you call them civil society or whatever they are. Our interest is to protect the live and property and make Abuja as one of the best cities in the world.”
Recall that a civil society had on Saturday mobilised the community to demonstrate against the demolition of the community.
Wike, however, reiterated that all other shanties that constitute security threats in the FCT will be demolished.
Earlier, leader of the dwellers, Abba Garo appealed to the minister to consider their plight and do something for them.
Garo told the minister that the last demolition on Friday was the 22nd time the community would experience such demolition.
He revealed that they are about 10,000 dwellers in the community noting that he has been living there for 37 years. “We are not claiming the ownership of the land”.
He therefore solicited the help of the Minister to provide alternative place of abode for them.
