Senate Mandates FCT Administration To Halt Further Demolition Of Structures

The Nigerian Senate has called on the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA to halt further demolition of structures in the FCT, except structures ordered for demolition by competent court of jurisdiction, pending investigation of its adhoc committee.

The Senate resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Ireti Kingibe (LP-FCT) at plenary on Thursday.

Senator Kingibe said the Federal Capital Administration on the instruction of the FCT Minister embarked on massive demolition of structures within the FCT.

She said the demolition, according to the FCT authority, was informed by illegal structures and the non development of allocated plots of land by the FCT Administration.

She said it was worrisome that in recent times the demolition exercise in the FCT was no longer based on reasons adduced by the FCT Administration.

Senator Kingibe further said that the current demolition in the FCT was not in line with due process of court orders to demolish.

She said given the demolition, a cross-section of individuals had suffered untold hardships occasioned by massive demolition, which has led to loss of properties worth billions of naira.

She said it was worrisome that at the moment an estate was currently under revocation and demolition.

“And from reliable information, the said plot of land was allocated in 1984 with requisite title and document”.

She said the owner of the estate was a patriotic Nigerian who served the nation meritoriously and one of the first intake of the Nigerian Defense Academy Kaduna with registration number 001.

She urged the Senate to prevail on the FCT Administration to halt the ongoing revocation and demolition of the said property as it does not fall within the purview of the reasons for the massive demolition being carried by the FCDA.

She said there was need for all demolitions to follow due process.

Senator Natasha Akpoti- Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi), who seconded the motion said there was need to put a halt to the demolition and set up a committee to investigate the matter.

She called for the invitation of the FCDA officials and their team to view things objectively from all sides.

The ad-hoc committee set up to investigate the demolition matters and report back in two weeks has the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin as Chairman.

Other members of the committee are Senators Victor Umeh, Jimoh Ibrahim, Abdulahi Yahaya, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, Mohammed Monguno, Oyelola Ashiru and Sahabi Yaú.

Emmanuel Ukoh