BY EDMOND ODOK – Clearly carrying out the threat issued during his inaugural speech, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, has approved the revocation of 165 undeveloped plots of Land in the serviced Districts of the nation’s Capital City.
According to the Director of Information and Communication in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Muhammad Hazat Sule, the Minister has appended his signature to the notice for the revocation as compiled by the Land Department.
Sule said the reason cited for this development is the continuous contravention of the terms of the agreement as encapsulated in the 1978 Land Use Act by the owners of the affected plots.
The revocation notice indicated that the revoked plots belong to individuals and corporate organizations, who have continually failed to keep to the agreement terms as contained in Section 28(5) (a) & (b) of the Land Use Act.
Listed among the affected plots are those located within the Central Business District (CDD), Maitama (A05); Maitama (A06); Wuse II (A08); Gudu (B01), and Wuye (B03).
Also included are Jabi (B04); Utako (B05); Katampe Extension (B19); Idu Industrial Area (C16) and Asokoro (A04) Districts respectively.
The FCTA Spokesperson further explained that; “The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory has, in the exercise of the powers conferred on him under Section 28(5)(a) & (b) of the Land Use Act 1978 revoked the affected titles for continued contravention of the terms of development of the Right of Occupancy to wit non-development”.
Meanwhile, reliable sources hinted that a group, acting under the auspices of FCT Land Owners Association and Landlords, has frowned at the action with a threat to approach the court to call the Minister and all his agents to order.
An insider of the group, who preferred to remain anonymous for now, having not been officially asked to speak on the matter, said “The FCT Minister cannot take such sweeping decisions without first engaging the owners of the plots in a civilised conversation to know their challenges and reasons behind the undeveloped plots. That should be the way to go as a good and seasoned administrator.”
