The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has cautioned against the building of structures without proper approvals from relevant agencies of the Federal Capital Territory Administration saying that all buildings must fit into the overall structure of the Abuja Masterplan.
The Minister stated this when he received members of the Governing Council of the University of Abuja, led by its Chairman and Pro-chancellor, Prof Ahmed Modibbo Muhammed, on a courtesy visit to the FCTA.
He noted that the FCT was a creation of law and as a result, no building should be erected within the Territory without the supervision and approval of officials of the FCTA.
Malam Bello emphasized the importance of this saying that public buildings the world over are subject to supervision and advised the university authorities to always follow these guidelines in the course of developing the university infrastructure.
“Usually, when land is allocated, no matter how vast, its development has to fit into the overall masterplan, Bello explained. everything has to be placed in the right location.”
He also said that the university should have its own comprehensive Masterplan that fits into the Abuja master plan, whereby the University authorities will work seamlessly with the FCT Administration in the development of the University.
Speaking on the recent kidnap of some staff of the University by armed men, the Minister commended the University authorities especially the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Abdul Rasheed Na’Allah for the roles they played in solving the crime.
He said that the Kidnap attempt was a well-planned attack targeted at the city of Abuja and it was the intention of the criminals to get the maximum amount of publicity owing to the strategic nature of the city and raise doubts as to the security situation within the nation’s capital.
As a result of cracking that case, the Minister added, several other planned attacks were prevented from being executed.
While acknowledging the continuous support and cooperation of the University’s Teaching Hospital, especially in the fight against the COVID 19 pandemic in the FCT, the Minister stressed that the FCTA will continue to support the University, more so, as staff of the FCTA have continued to take advantage of its proximity to advance themselves academically and professionally.
He also assured the University delegation that issues raised such as encroachments on university land and other concerns will be adequately addressed saying that the University more than any other public sector institution has played a very significant role in the development of the Territory.
“For instance, Gwagwalada which is the biggest satellite town in the FCT would not have been what it is today without the presence of the University,” Bello explained.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the University, Prof. Ahmed Modibbo Muhammed, had commended the Minister for his work in the administration of the nation’s capital, while also thanking him for the continued support the University has enjoyed from the FCTA over the years.
Present at the meeting were the FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola, Chief of Staff to the Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Borno, Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi, Ahmed the Secretary for Education Alh. Dahiru El-Katuzu, Vice-Chancellor, University of Abuja, Professor Rashid Na ‘Allah, members of the University’s Governing Council and other senior management staff of the FCTA.
Kwara State
Meanwhile a town planner and retired permanent secretary in Kwara State, Malam Bolakale Yusuf has urged the Kwara State Government to continue to demonstrate genuine political will, in ensuring that the proposed Ilorin Master Plan sees the light of the day.
He identified the use of substandard materials and lack of proper consultation before acquisition of land as causes of building collapse,
Yusuf, therefore, called on the National Assembly to enact a law that will empower the government to stop and take over any building that fails to comply strictly with all regulations during construction.
According to him, such a law, if enacted would put an end to incessant building collapse in the country.
Yusuf added that this would checkmate builders and developers who may want to cut corners and violate building laws while putting up structures.
Speaking with newsmen in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, he lamented that a lot of innocent lives and properties had been lost to building collapse, caused by the failure of the developers to adhere to regulations guiding construction works.
The Town Planner also stressed the need for the engagement of only the professionals and qualified people at all stages of construction to ensure quality jobs.
He recommended the unbundling of the state Town Planning Development Authorities as the way out of incessant building collapse and the development of unorganized urban centres across the country.
Yusuf added that the unbundling of the agency into State Physical Planning Authorities and State Development Control Agencies at state levels would ensure effective and efficient housing delivery across the states.
PIAK
