Revocation, demolition of properties imminent as FCT minister unveils policy direction

Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has unveiled plans to take over thousands of undeveloped lands within the highbrow districts across Abuja.

Similar threat notice was issued by the House of Representatives Committee on FCT, chaired by Herman Hembe (APC-Benue), at the pre-investigative hearing press briefing held at the National Assembly complex.

Speaking on the development at a world press briefing where he unveiled the administration’s policy direction, Musa Bello, FCT minister, directed all FCT agencies to ensure strict compliance with and full legal enforcement of the provisions of the Abuja master plan.

“A comprehensive review of the FCT land management practices will be undertaken with a view to redressing cases of significant infractions of established procedures such as double allocations, allocations against public interest, or those in complete disregard to the master plan.

“The review will also seek to ensure that due revenues have accrued to government, and identify failure of beneficiaries to develop allocated lands within legally required timeframe. As required by the law governing the allocations of land, all beneficiaries of undeveloped lands within Phase 1 and Phase 2 stand the risk of forfeiting the land to government for reallocation to more able and willing developers,” Bello said.

While responding to questions on the several abandoned developmental projects, Bello assured Nigerians of his commitment towards early completion of ongoing infrastructural projects including roads, mass houses for low-income citizens, across the nation’s capital city.

Some of the priority projects include major road networks to open up Apo-Karishi, Nyanya-Keffi roads as well as other satellite towns’ projects that will help in decongesting the city centre.

The minister, who reaffirmed commitment to restore the nation’s capital city to its original plan, expressed regrets over the re-emergence of slums and squatters in the city, conversion of public lands to private use and rapid degeneration of the city into a disorderly urban market by conversion of residential neighbourhoods to commercial use.

While responding to questions on the developmental projects, the minister, who pledged to ensure completion of all ongoing projects, harped on the need to synergise with private sector in achieving the feats.

“As a matter of immediate priority, undertake measures to harness the revenue potentials of the FCT in a manner friendly to individual residents and corporate entities in the territory. This is with a view to evolving a robust mechanism for raising the necessary sustainable funding needed to give the city befitting world-class infrastructure it deserves.

“This would be achieved through the full review and effective take-off of the FCT Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which the National Assembly enacted in 2015. Furthermore, we will ensure effective enforcement of all revenue generation options, particularly in areas where infrastructure has already been provided,” according to the minister.

Other critical challenges to be addressed by the Bello-led administration include: poor maintenance culture, poorly maintained roads, street and traffic lights system as well as other challenges of transportation, particularly with regards to commuter transport, difficulties with water supply and a litany of uncompleted projects including: critical major infrastructure and satellite towns development project; inadequate or poor condition of available education and health facilities, among others.