The indigenes of FCT have appealed to the Federal Government to review the FCT Land Act, which is not in favour of the indigenous people.
Mr Solomon Shekwolo, Chairman of Gbagyi Youth Movement (GYM), made the appeal in Abuja on Wednesday in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
“We are passionately appealing to the Federal Government to reconsider the FCT Land Act, as the constitution supercedes this Act.
“We want to remind the government that resettlement is old fashioned as it remained a failure even in Nigeria.''
He decried the way the government had relegated the customs, as well as culture of the Gbagyi people in the FCT.
Shekwolo advised the government to ensure and guarantee means of livelihood for those relocated without any compensation, adding that this would go a long way in taking care of their social needs.
He lamented the way and manner the government had substituted indigenous villages to serve commercial purposes instead of ensuring development that would incorporate the villagers.
“We appeal to government to institute a statutory protection of Gbagyi people and other indigenous populations, to enhance their social and economic wellbeing.
“With all the sacrifices that Gbagyi people have rendered to this nation as a whole, the authorities should consider the cry of the Gbagyi people whose land, life and property have been rendered valueless in the name of national development.'' (NAN)