The majority of the senators opposed the proposals they made by their colleagues.
On Wednesday, Senate Deputy Prime Minister Onyekachi Nwebonyi asked the Minister of the Federal Capital Territories (FCT) of Nyesom Wike to destroy the informal settlements near Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and relocate residents.
Nibonyi, who represents the Ebony North Senate District, called out during the plenary session, contributing to the discussions on the FCT’s 2025 statutory budget.
The senator has described the community as an eye-catching eyelash, saying some of the structures around the airport do not project a positive image of Nigeria on visitors diving into the capital.
“I would like the Minister of FCT to extend the development of FCT infrastructure within the vicinity of Abuja Airport. If he comes down to Abuja Airport, Abuja Airport, a type of infrastructure within the environment, it doesn’t represent a good image of this country, and I think FCT Minister should acquire it on the next budget.”
Several informal settlements are located along Abuja Airport Road. Residents of such communities include locals who consider them low-income people who cannot afford exorbitant rent in their ancestor homes and many parts of the Nigerian capital.
Such communities are often marked by inadequate infrastructure, and in some are classified as illicited by the Federal Capital and Territories Agency (FCTA).
In recent years, FCTA has been conducting demolition exercises in these areas as part of its efforts to implement the Abuja Master Plan.
Discussion
In response, Senate President Godwill Akpabio questioned the rationale behind Mr. Nwebonyi’s call, seeking clarification on the particular location being referenced.
“What part of the airport is, if you are coming from the airport, if you are first seen on the right, then the President’s wing, then you come across a very beautiful elevated road. Once you arrive at the airport road, you can get off towards the road that comes towards the road where the streetlights are completed, especially at night.
In response, Nwebonyi said he was referring to the “shed behind Abuja airport.”
The Senate president then told the senators that these communities were people’s homes and the owners of the sheds built what they could afford.
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“When you’re in the plane? That’s someone’s village. Owners of those houses, that’s what they can afford. Are you saying we should go to those places and when the plane comes, you should evacuate them so that they see a high rise?
Despite comments from the Senate president, Nwebonyi argued that the region should be developed as it is in the capital.
Akpabio then forced Nwebonyi’s proposal to vote, and the majority of the senators opposed it through audio voting.
Akpabio then ruled Nwebonyi in no particular order.
Former FCT Minister Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) also contributed to the discussion, making it clear that the land in question has already been allocated for formal development.
“He’s referring to illegal settlements. The land is already allocated to some people, but development hasn’t reached there. When development reaches it, people are kicked out,” he said.
