Nyesom Wike, the FCT minister, commended Tunga Madaki community on Thursday for their cooperation. He praised them during the commissioning of a newly completed access road linking the area to the airport.
Wike noted that the community made no unreasonable financial demands during negotiations. They didn't ask for one billion naira or payments to traditional rulers, he stressed.
The road project, renamed Bill Clinton Drive, marks part of celebrations for President Bola Tinubu's three years in office. It connects the satellite town to major airport infrastructure.
According to Wike, Tunga Madaki residents attended the ceremony in large numbers to express gratitude. They wanted to demonstrate how government projects improve lives in their locality.
He explained the project's origin during talks over airport runway expansion. Officials needed compensation from residents whose land would be affected by construction.
Instead of making greedy demands, Wike noted, the community requested two basic things. They asked for employment opportunities and a proper road network.
"They didn't say no money means no project," he told attendees. "They didn't demand payments to emirs and chiefs as conditions."
Wike urged other communities across Abuja to follow Tunga Madaki's example. He warned against communities that prioritize collecting money over genuine development needs.
Government officials have since fulfilled both promises made to residents. Employment positions were created for qualified youths from the community.
Wike praised the community's cooperative attitude throughout negotiations and implementation. He credited them for opening doors to improved government services in their area.
The minister used the occasion to highlight what he called responsible community leadership. Unlike others who exploit development projects for personal gain, he argued, Tunga Madaki focused on collective welfare.
Without this partnership, Wike suggested, the area might have remained forgotten. Community engagement transformed a satellite town into a priority development zone.
He promised continued attention to infrastructure needs in similar communities. Government remains committed to rewarding areas that support development initiatives, Wike concluded.
