The Nigerian Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) through its Department of Development Control has demolished a two-storey building for contravening the Land Use Act and building on a plot designed to be an open area.
The building in question (which is located on plot 4545 at SIL Estate, Mbora district, Abuja) was on the news alleging that some officials of the development control collected the sum of N10 Million to allow for reconstruction on the said structure.
Speaking on behalf of the administration after the demolition exercise, the Director, Development, TPL Muktar Galadima, said the building was illegal and many of such buildings will be demolished in due course particularly those within the Lugbe axis.
He added that; “as long as the department is concerned the building stand illegal and we vowed to remove it. Thank God today, we have pulled it down.
“The demolished structure will be reverted to its original land use, saying, there is a provision for a master point if there is any eventuality this is the place where the residents converged as their safe heaven before aids come.”
“This has been a kind of a continuous campaign on the approved developments in FCT, we have been saying this over time that people must obtain development permit before commencing on any development in FCT.
Fielding questions from Journalists on time lag for building approvals, Galadima said that; “It is an attitude thing not a cumbersome thing, we have tried to review the process to 28 days, that is why we are always conversing to consultants, if they want, we can give them the approval within that time specified to do the right thing even from the design stage that they meet our standard and specification so by the time they get there you are sure of getting your approval within 28 days.
“To further make it easier for prospective developers, we want to open zonal development control offices where you can just walk in and submit your drawings, all the necessary preliminary investigations can be done there and bring it for final approval.
“There is need for us to have offices in Kubwa, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Karshi thus are where people can submit their drawings”.
Zainab Sa’id
