Wike announced N825.819 million as compensation for Jiwa indigenes for the construction of the 4.2 km second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, met with the people of Jiwa community in Abuja.

After the meeting, which was also attended by officials of both ministries and representatives of their agencies, Wike announced N825.819 million as compensation for Jiwa indigenes for the construction of the 4.2 km second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

The former Rivers governor said the N825.8 million is to incentivise the residents to vacate the community and seek their cooperation towards the completion of the 4.2 km second Abuja runway project originally awarded in 2022.

Additionally, Wike declared that the FCT will construct a 5 km bridge in the Tunga Madaki community and provide a modern healthcare facility expected to serve as a temporary resettlement site for the indigenes.

Furthermore, the FCT minister charged the contractors to resume work, promising that the approved fund would be released on Wednesday.

Naija News reported that the Jiwa community had earlier opened up negotiations with the Federal Government, demanding N2.5 million per hectare as compensation.

Also speaking via a Twitter post on Wednesday, Keyamo said he and Wike held a peaceful resolution regarding the issues of compensation and ancillary matters that hindered the commencement of the construction of the second runway at the Abuja International Airport.

He said: “Yesterday, my colleague in the FCT Ministry, his Minister of State and I met with the Sarki of Jiwa and representatives of the community within the FCT and peacefully resolved the issues of compensation and ancillary matters that hindered the commencement of the construction of the second runway at the Abuja International Airport.

“We announced the full package of compensation by the FG, which they accepted. The contractors are expected to immediately mobilise to the site.”