• inaugurates committees to tackle land use anomalies in River Park Estate, FCT
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesome Wike, has issued a stern warning that outright revocation of certificates of occupancy (C of O) will be enforced specifically against developers who acquired land designated for mass housing but have deviated by converting such properties for commercial purposes as against the provisions of the C of O Act.
The minister spoke at the inauguration of two crucial committees tasked with addressing pressing land use and development issues within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), particularly focusing on the River Park Estate and other locations where commercial activities have overtaken designated land uses.
He pointed out, “Some developers obtained land through letters of intent to build mass housing, with agreements strictly outlining their obligations. However, many have violated these terms by switching the designated use from residential to commercial.”
The minister stressed that these violations undermine planning regulations and that the committees must identify all such cases within a strict two-week timeline.
The first committee, chaired by the General Counsel/Secretary of the Legal Service Secretariat, includes senior officials such as the Senior Special Assistant on Lands & Urban & Regional Planning, the Deputy Director of Lands, the Directors of Security, Development Control, Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS), and a Secretary from the Legal Services Secretariat. This committee is charged with reviewing issues bedeviling River Park Estate.
The second committee, chaired by the Director of Development Control, with members including Directors of Land Administration, Surveying and Mapping, AGIS, Engineering Services, and Urban and Regional Planning (who also serves as Secretary), will review land use and purpose clauses of land and properties at locations taken over by commercial and other unauthorized activities.
Wike emphasized the importance of these committees, stating, “These are very two important committees that will streamline the activities and services of the Federal Capital Territory Administration as it lands to issues that are clumped up… the Director of Development Control is a member of the two committees and Director of AGIS is also a member of the two committees.”
Addressing the River Park Estate challenges, Wike explained, “Sometimes government would give out letters of intent to those who say they want to develop Mass houses. And government will always have an agreement, or what you may call memorandum of understanding. We found out in most cases these clauses or these agreements have been violated. So this committee is to look into the issues that are to do with River Park Estate and advise the government the necessary steps to take in order to correct some of these anomalies.”
Highlighting the urgency, he stated, “The assignment must be concluded in two weeks’ time. There will be no extension of time. So if it requires you to sit all nights, maybe so. We’re not going to delay.” He warned firmly, “I don’t want to hear any issue of influence from outside. If I hear that somebody has interest, be it from outside or be it from the FCTA, or particularly AGES and the administration department, you know the consequences of it.”
Wike also made it clear that professional conduct is paramount, pledging support for any hurdles the committees might face: “If you require assistance, let me know. If there’s any department that’s trying to stop you from getting information, let me know on time.”
Delving into wider land use issues in the FCT, Wike remarked, “Part of what we have in Abuja today is not the original master plan. If you see some people have their C of Os and if you look at what is to be used, it will be stated for commercial, it will be stated for residential. But today you find out that all those things are gone without prior approval of government.”
He underscored the problem of certificate of occupancy (C of O) misuse: “If you have a C of O that its purpose is for residential, but today it’s turned to commercial, that, of course, is a violation of the certificate that was issued to you.”
The mandate of the second committee, he explained, is to “identify all those areas that are in violation of the use of the certificate of occupancy as given to citizens or residents, as the case may be, identify those areas, either in the central business area, either in Maitama, Asokoro, Garki, as the case may be.”
Wike concluded with a decisive stance on policy enforcement: “Having identified them, you have to recommend to government what appropriate step to be taken so that we comply to it or to the guidelines that we’re giving. This is very, very important to us. I would want to say outright revocation for not complying with the provisions in the C of O Act.”
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