The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has indicated that an estimated N1.1 billion will be approved to compensate property owners affected by the ongoing construction of the Kuje-Airport Highway.
On Tuesday, the minister offered the guarantee while inspecting the full-scope development of the 11-kilometre FCT route 105, also known as the Kuje route, from the Airport Motorway to the Kuje Junction.
During the inspection, Wike stated his pleasure with the project’s progress thus far, offering to approve the payment of the compensation immediately to avoid any delays.
“I have come here to see for myself the report on the valuation of what we are supposed to pay. I am happy with what I have seen. I will immediately approve it so that they can start paying the compensation and the work will not be delayed.
“The entire estimate they gave is about N1.1 billion to pay for those whose properties are affected, like some of these buildings you have seen here, down to the community. So, it’s about N1.1bn, and we are going to make it available so that the contractor will not find any excuse for delay,” he stated.
Wike also inspected the ongoing construction of the FCT Division of the Court of Appeal located in the Utako District of the FCT, noting that he expected the project to be completed in September 2025.
“First of all, I am very impressed with what we saw this afternoon. It is progressing as expected. By the grace of God, we believe that in September next year, the contractor will have handed over the structure, which is the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal.
“I am very impressed with what I have seen. You can also see the construction of the road leading to that area, and the contractor is also doing everything possible to see that he meets up to the time,” he said.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")