Abuja — The umbrella body of FCT indigenes, Original Inhabitants Development Association of Abuja, OIDA, has called for the creation of a development commission to cater for displaced indigenous communities in the territory.

The call is contained in a statement, yesterday, in Abuja and signed by OIDA Media Adviser, Mr Shagari Sambo. According to the statement, the commission should be fashioned in the mould of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC or the Hydro Power Producing Areas Development Commission, HYPPADEC.

The association in the statement alleged that some communities in the territory had been displaced by the FCTA without compensation.

“The proposed Abuja Original Inhabitants Development Commission (AOIDC) should be statutory and derive its funding from 30 per cent of all sales accruing from allocable lands within the FCT.”

It said that the commission, if established, would be saddled with the responsibility of dealing with the lingering issues of relocation, resettlement and compensation for communities displaced by government projects.

It said that Abuja’s original inhabitants needed structures for self-governance, adding that the second-tier would provide the basis for a local government system that would be people-oriented.

The association urged the Minister of FCT, Sen. Bala Mohammed to upgrade traditional rulers and name major streets in Abuja city centre after indigenous heroes and royal fathers in the territory.

“Naming streets after royal fathers and other distinguished Abuja indigenous sons and daughters, will engender a greater sense of belonging and appreciation of our place in the scheme of things in FCT.”

It said that since there was a council of chiefs in place, it should be empowered to advise government as well as contribute to debates on issues in the public domain without restrictions.

“The FCT Administration should upgrade existing chiefs to make them at par with their colleagues in other parts of the country.

“There are dynasties in the FCT that have ancient histories, yet communities in neighbouring states with recent histories of migration to their current habitation have higher status than them.

“Posterity will bless the Honourable Minister if he does this for us, “ the statement said.