By Eunice Orike
Public Complaints Commission (PCC) has assured residents of Durumi I and neighbouring indigenous communities in Abuja that their complaints over planned demolitions, displacement and alleged land dispossession will be thoroughly investigated.
The FCT Commissioner of the Commission, Musa Dikko, gave the assurance during an inspection visit to Durumi I on Tuesday in Abuja, where he met with residents and community leaders over growing concerns about the future of their settlements.
Dikko said the Commission was in the community to verify claims made in petitions submitted by residents and gather firsthand information before taking further action.
According to him, the PCC has the legal responsibility to investigate complaints from citizens and ensure that all parties involved are given a fair hearing.
He commended the affected communities for presenting a united position on the matter, noting that residents of Durumi I, Durumi II and other neighbouring settlements had come together to seek justice.
“We came to see things for ourselves and confirm what we have been told. From what we have seen and heard, the communities have agreed to speak with one voice on this issue,” he said.
The Commissioner revealed that the matter had earlier been brought to the attention of the minister of the federal capital territory and disclosed that findings by the Commission suggest that about 61 communities could be affected by planned development projects in the territory by 2026.
He expressed concern over the absence of a clear resettlement plan for affected residents, saying the commission shares the concerns of communities who fear losing their homes and ancestral lands.
Dikko urged residents to provide accurate information to assist the investigation, particularly regarding any compensation or payments they may have received from government agencies or developers.
He stressed that the Commission would ensure a transparent investigation and engages all relevant stakeholders before making recommendations.
Also speaking, Deputy Director of the Commission, Jideri Agbese, said the PCC had received reports of demolitions, harassment and concerns that the rights of indigenous communities were not being adequately protected during ongoing development activities.
She noted that when Abuja was created as Nigeria’s capital, provisions were made for indigenous communities to be resettled, integrated into the city or compensated.
