By Ekunkonye Junior, Abuja
A bill has been sponsored in the House of Representatives to establish the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Displaced Original Inhabitants Resettlement and Integration Agency, aimed at addressing the challenges faced by the original inhabitants of Abuja who have been displaced by the city’s rapid development.
The bill, sponsored by Hon. Joshua Chinedu Obika and co-sponsored by several other lawmakers, seeks to provide a systematic approach to resettling displaced original inhabitants into new communities with better support services, including housing, healthcare, education, and other social and infrastructural needs.
Speaking on the bill, Hon. Obika explained that Abuja, the capital city, has experienced rapid population growth, from 776,298 in 2006 to an estimated six million people in 2016, with an annual growth rate of over 35%. This growth has led to the displacement of original inhabitants from settlements like Garki, Maitama, Apo, and others, as the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) reconstructs the city to make it a world-class capital.
The bill’s objectives include establishing the FCT Displaced Original Inhabitants Resettlement and Integration Agency, addressing the challenges faced by displaced original inhabitants, and providing a systematic approach to resettling them into new communities with better support services.
The agency will also facilitate social integration and community cohesion, reducing social tensions and disputes between original inhabitants and the FCDA.
The bill has 22 clauses and one schedule, covering the establishment of the agency, composition and appointment of board members, functions of the agency, and sources of funding, among others.
The agency will be responsible for managing the resettlement process, providing compensation, and ensuring the documentation of original inhabitants for better policy-making and resource allocation.
Hon. Obika emphasized that the agency will facilitate the restoration of dignity for the original inhabitants of the FCT, provide hope, and build a more inclusive society within the nation’s capital. He also noted that previous resettlement programs have been unsuccessful, leading to more original inhabitants living in inadequate shelter, poverty, and insecurity.
The bill has received support from lawmakers, who believe it will address the long-standing challenges faced by displaced original inhabitants. The House of Representatives is expected to deliberate on the bill and consider its passage into law.
The establishment of the FCT Displaced Original Inhabitants Resettlement and Integration Agency is seen as a crucial step in addressing the challenges faced by the original inhabitants of Abuja, who have been displaced by the city’s rapid development.
The agency will provide a platform for proper documentation, policy-making, and resource allocation to enhance their standard of living.
The bill’s passage is expected to bring relief to thousands of displaced original inhabitants, who have been living in informal settlements with limited access to basic services. The agency will work to provide them with better housing, healthcare, education, and other social and infrastructural needs.
The success of the bill will depend on the support of lawmakers and the commitment of the Federal Government to address the challenges faced by displaced original inhabitants. If passed, the agency will be a significant step towards building a more inclusive society within the nation’s capital.
The FCT Displaced Original Inhabitants Resettlement and Integration Agency will be a vital institution in promoting social integration and community cohesion, reducing social tensions and disputes between original inhabitants and the FCDA. Its establishment will be a testament to the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by displaced original inhabitants and promoting their welfare.
Hon. Obika and his co-sponsors are optimistic that the bill will be passed into law, and the agency will be established to address the challenges faced by displaced original inhabitants. They have urged their colleagues to support the bill and facilitate its expeditious passage into law.
The establishment of the agency will be a significant milestone in the history of Abuja, marking a new chapter in the city’s development and growth. It will be a testament to the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by displaced original inhabitants and promoting their welfare.
