By Omeiza Ajayi

Federal Capital Territory FCT minister, Nyesom Wike has urged residents of the territory to support government projects in the interest of the public, especially as they relate to issues of Right of Way RoW.

The minister spoke on Monday after he inspected some ongoing projects including a flyover bridge in Nicon Junction, the Judges Quarters In Katampe District and some access roads in the area.

Asked about possible compensation for those whose property will be affected by the road construction, Wike said; “Well, I am not in the Compensation department. I am not a valuer. It is only when they have done their work and submitted to me, then I will look at the value and we will look at the number of houses that have been affected. But for now, I cannot say there are 20 houses or 30 houses.

“What I am trying to say is that compensation in terms of building roads, houses that are affected, you pay part of it. Or if the entire house is going, you pay the full compensation. But not when you are saying that you want to settle the entire community, because the road is not passing through the entire community. It is a section of the community.

“So, we will do everything, and I want to plead with the community that they are going to be the ones that will benefit from this road directly. You can imagine how it was, and see how it is now, and then by the time it is finished with streetlights everywhere, I mean, it is to their own benefit. I appeal that everybody should give support so that we can achieve this very important project”.

The minister who expressed satisfaction with the pace of work on all the projects inspected, said he was delighted to see rapid developments in the area following his decision to construct the roads.

On whether he was satisfied with his achievements so far, the minister said; “You should assess me. You should assess. I can’t set an examination for myself, mark, and grade myself. It is for the public to really assess. We have the presidential monitoring team for the deliverables. They should be able to see whether we have done what we are supposed to do, and to what extent I have done. But if you say generally, am I satisfied with what the government has done, and as it relates to our city? Yes, I would say I am very much satisfied”.