The Minister of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, has inaugurated two committees to address land issues at River Park Estate and the abuse of the Land Use Act in the FCT.
While inaugurating the committees in Abuja, the Minister described the two issues as very pivotal in streamlining the activities of the FCT Administration on emerging land matters.
Wike said that the River Park Committee would be chaired by the General Counsel/Secretary, Legal Services Secretariat, Barrister Salman Dako, with the Acting Director, Public Service, as Secretary.
He pointed out that sometimes the government gives out letters of intent to those who declare interest in developing mass housing.
Wike also noted that the FCT Administration always signs MoUs with estate developers, adding that, in most cases, the clauses in the agreements end up being violated.
The Minister explained that the River Park Estate Committee was inaugurated to look into the land issues in the estate and advise the FCTA on the necessary steps to correct the anomalies.
While stressing that the committee has two weeks to conclude the assignment, he added that there would be no extension of time.
According to him, “So, if it requires you to sit from morning till night, may it be so. We will not delay,” he said.
Wike advised the committee to carry out the task with utmost professionalism and warned the members against giving in to internal or external influence.
“If I hear that somebody has interest, be it from outside or from the FCTA, particularly Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) and the Administration Department, you know the consequences of it.
“If there’s any department that’s trying to stop you from getting information, let me know on time.”
The second committee was on the review of land uses/purpose clauses of land and properties at locations overtaken by commercial and other activities.
It will be chaired by the Director, Development Control, TPL Muktar Galadima, with the Director, Urban and Regional Planning, as Secretary.
Wike explained that the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) always indicates the purpose for usage, which could be commercial, residential, or other uses, in line with the provisions of the Abuja Master Plan.
“Today, you find out that all those provisions are being violated without prior approval from the government.
“You will see people with C of O, whose purpose is residential, but it is turned to commercial. This, of course, is a violation of the certificate that was issued,” he said.
The Minister explained further that the committee would identify all areas in violation of the C of O given to residents.
He said that the areas could be in the Central Business Area, Maitama, Asokoro, Garki, Wuse I, or Wuse II, as the case may be.
“Having identified them, you have to recommend to the government what appropriate steps to take in compliance with extant guidelines.
“This is very, very important to us. Are you going to say outright revocation for not complying with the provisions in the C of O, or will there be a penalty if they request conversion and pay the appropriate fee?
“The committee has two weeks to deliver on the task and come up with robust recommendations on what the government is to do.
“Like I said earlier, this job has to be done without outside or inside interference,” he said.
Wike said that the move was necessary for the public to know what the government was doing to address anomalies in land use in the FCT.
Other members of the River Park Estate Committee include the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Lands, Urban and Regional Planning; the Deputy Director, Land; the Director, Security Services Department; the Director, Development Control; and the Director, AGIS.
For the committee on the review of land uses/purpose clauses of land and properties at locations overtaken by commercial and other activities, the members include the Director, Land Administration; the Director, Surveying and Mapping; the Director, AGIS; and the Director, Engineering Services.