The original proposal was for all the indigenous population to be resettled outside the FCT. But even before the completion of Abuja Master Plan production, the concept of resettlement within the FCT was introduced and factored within the plan, in which resettlement sites within the FCT were recommended.
Subsequently, another concept of integration cropped up. That is allowing the indigenes to remain at their locations and their houses to be integrated with the plans for the new developments. On the part of the original inhabitants, integration would allow them to maintain their ancestral lands, baring many obvious implications. On the part of the Government, integration would save it the cost of planning and developments of new resettlement sites.
Meanwhile, In order to ensure the comfort of the residents, infrastructure must be provided. The infrastructure must also harmonize with the standard of Abuja, not only as a modern City, but also as the Capital City and image of Nigeria. However, the major challenges to integration is the difficulty, or impossibility of provision of modern infrastructure amidst the planless local environment, while allowing it to remain undisturbed. If infrastructure must be provided, there must be demolition of many houses that would stands on the way. In that case, there must be relocation of those to be affected. We are then back to square A.
Thus without planning and demolition for proper provision of infrastructure, all integrated sites would be akin to a blight amidst a modern City. This is exactly the prevailing situation on Garki in Phase I, Mabushi, Utako, Gudu and other villages of the original inhabitants in the Phase II and beyond.
Other challenges of the continuous habitation of the local indigenes are the loss of their major original source of livelihood. Traditionally, almost all of them were farmers. The only option that would be possible for them to have farm lands to continue with their traditional livelihood would be if they were resettled outside the FCT. But, within, all the surrounding areas are for urban land uses.
Late Alhaji Halliru was among the influential persons in Garki, and was married to Hajiya Amaye, one of my aunts from Suleja. One of his sons, Dahiru was a custom officer before his demise about 20 years ago. Late Dahiru once told one of my elder brothers Alhaji Adamu Abdullahi Rachaniya an episode that happened at their farm either in the late sixties or early seventies.
Related Posts
The Late Alhaji Halliru in the company of two of his very young children, Late Dahiru inclusive, once took a visiting Islamic cleric to his farm. The origin of the Sheikh was not known to the boys. At the farm, the Sheikh stroke his staff on the ground and told his host, that, in some years to come, not quite long from now, the world will gather on this spot. You and I, will not live to witness that day, but these young children would very much witness it. That farmland is where the Central Bank is located today in Garki II District.
As is it today, the new generations of the original indigenes born from 35 years ago to the present, would only hear stories, that their parents or grandparents were farmers. They grew up without witnessing any farmland around their houses as it used to be, prior to the advent of the FCT. The elder ones who were at least 15 years of age 35 years ago, may only be able to identify the approximate locations of their ancestral houses and farmlands at a place now transformed to an expressway, junction, secretariat, international conference center, filling station, commercial area, hotel etc.
The acquisition and total evacuation of the original inhabitants of Abuja in the
Phase I, and their resettlements outside or within the FCT, was hundred percent completed ever since, with the only exception of Garki Village which is to be resettled at the Apo resettlement site. It is being delayed due to the delay in the completion of the Chief’s Palace.
The attention is now on the resettlement of indigenes located on lands for the second phase of the City development. While the total land area of Phase I is 6,000Ha that of Phase II is 6,537Ha. The cost of developments of resettlement sites has now skyrocketed much higher than when that of Phase I was undertaken.
Meanwhile, summersault in the FCT resettlement policy was not only on the changes to the resettlement areas, but it is further compounded by official violations on the use of the completed projects, contrary to the earmarked uses. Jibi resettlement scheme located outside FCC, along the ONEX and adjacent to Kubwa has size of 640Ha. It was to accommodate villages located in the Phase II of FCC, but it is now occupied by Nigerian Police.
To be continued
