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FCT Minister Nyesom Wike Vows to Crack Down on Land Grabbers
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has declared that the FCT Administration will take strict action against land grabbers, regardless of their social or political status.
Minister Wike issued this warning during a meeting with representatives of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), FCT chapter, in Abuja on Thursday.
“Land grabbing is not new. Some of your people are part of it, some staff of FCT are part of it.
“As a government, we will do all we can to see that we deal squarely with anybody that is involved, no matter how highly- placed he or she might be.
“It is a terrible situation we found ourselves in. People grabbing land; people illegally acquiring land, just for the purpose of becoming rich overnight,” the minister said.
He pointed out that everyday, people write the FCTA, demanding for land allocation to develop a certain number of houses in the city.
He, however, said that many people were doing that just to obtain a land title and at the end of the day, nothing was developed.
“They will do all they can; take our land and sell it to people for development.
“For me, that is not helping us to reduce the housing deficit, no. That is just a way of taking government land and enriching yourselves at the expense of the government,” he said.
The minister added, “Yes government cannot sell land, so why will the government give out land for the purpose of housing estate and then you are selling the land?
“The government can as well sell the land itself if that is the case.”
Mr Wike said that to address the challenge, the FCTA had decided that developers must show financial capacity before land would be allocated to them in FCT.
He added that a reputable commercial bank must also write an undertaking that the developer has the financial capacity for such development.
“Two, you will write an undertaking that the project will commence and be completed within a specified time without any condition attached to it.
“Three, that failure to develop the land, the government is entitled to take back its land.It does not matter what form of development you are putting there.
“If that is done, then we will be convinced and give you our land allocation with proper documentation,” he said.
He said that the measures were necessary to ensure that developers do not steal from the government in the name of development.
The minister said that there were currently over 1,000 litigations in different courts over land matters, with kore being recorded on daily basis.
The minister also berated real estate developers for not meeting up to their obligations to the government, particularly in the payment of taxes relating to land.
“Even when you sell your properties, you don’t remit part of which belongs to the government.
“So, I want to partner with you but on good faith, not partnership that one party would be detrimental to the other, no. It has to be mutual and symbiotic,” Mr Wike said.
Prior to the minister’s remarks, Dr. Ehikioya Okoruwa, chairman of REDAN, pledged the association’s willingness to collaborate with the FCTA to address the housing shortage in the territory.
Dr. Okoruwa announced REDAN’s plan to construct 15,000 housing units. He also stated that the association would invest N262 billion in the housing sector, emphasizing that the FCTA would benefit significantly from supporting this project.
Furthermore, Dr. Okoruwa highlighted REDAN’s collaboration with security agencies to combat land racketeering. He reaffirmed the association’s dedication to ethical practices and accountability in the industry.
“This meeting sets the stage for a potential partnership between the FCT Administration and REDAN, but with clear terms and expectations for accountability and transparency,” he said.
The Lagos State Government has said it would soon arrange a meeting with developers/owners of distressed buildings on how best to address the redesign and remodelling of such structures by November.
This was disclosed recently by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Oluyinka Olumide, at a function in Alahusa, Lagos.
Olumide said the prevalence of distressed buildings in different parts of the state was worrisome and needed the urgent attention of all stakeholders.
He said, “The Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development as mandated by the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, 2019, as amended, was willing to extend its responsibility for approving the remodelling of existing buildings to provide technical assistance to developers and owners of distressed buildings, especially on the design and remodelling of such buildings.
The Federal Government has instructed the contractors responsible for the 107km Enugu-Onitsha road dualization to expedite the project.
This directive was given by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, during a meeting with MTN, the Enugu State Government, and the contractors, RCC Ltd and Nigercat Ltd, on Friday.
According to a statement released on Friday, the minister said he is disappointed over the slow pace of work on the project, he said, “Let me express my disappointment over the slow pace of work on that project. It is one of the worst roads in this country.
“Everywhere we have diversion; diverting from the one that RCC and Nigercat had completed, the contractors are not kind enough to even put stone based on the diversion points.”
He added, “So, by the reason of the launching of our Operation Free our Roads, it is now a violation of the policy on the side of the controllers and directors of the Federal Ministry of Works where we have vehicles falling on any project that is ongoing or where there are potholes on our roads.”
He also blamed the sufferings of road users on the lack of commitment and insensitivity of the contractors.
“The public must know that the President’s intention is not for them to suffer while trying to fix the roads, and it is their right to insist that contractors should fix the roads that they are engaged on,” he said.
The Minister commended the Enugu state government for their resolve to fund the construction of a 20 KM section of the road and expressed hope that MTN would execute the second phase of the project.
He noted, “Why the Enugu State government is intervening is because of the slow pace of work by the contractors and because of funding issues. The essence of tax credit is for funds to be made available. And so, I don’t see RCC going to keep their promise to finish this project in 6 months.
“My advice to MTN is to look for another contractor within that axis if they want to get the job done. Division of labour is even the best. While they are doing the road, and if Nigercat is doing a good job, you can give them greater scope to do if you want to finish that job.”
He warned contractors that the Federal Government would not accept phased handovers of projects and has phased out Variation of Price in contract administration.
The Ekiti State government has intervened to resolve a longstanding land dispute between the Elepe of Epe-Ekiti, Oba Ayodele Adesoye, and the Atolagbe family. The government cautioned against the misuse of modernization as an excuse to disregard traditional customs.
In line with the community’s traditions, the government has ordered the release of resources, including palm trees at Oko Oba Farmland, to Oba Adesoye for his administration. This decision ensures the continued adherence to age-old practices.
Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, announced the resolution in Ado-Ekiti. The decision was made after considering the Elepe’s claim to Oko Oba Farmland based on historical evidence.
Mrs. Afuye acknowledged the Elepe’s right to be the custodian of Oko Oba Farmland, citing longstanding traditions that support his claim. The decision reflects the importance of respecting historical practices and ensuring their preservation.
The deputy governor, however, told the monarch in clear terms that other princes and princesses from all the three ruling houses should be allowed to farm on the land without payment of royalty.
Mrs Afuye appealed to the community to comply with the government’s position to restore unity, peace and orderliness to the beleaguered community.
Oba Adesoye expressed gratitude for the government’s decision and pledged to foster peace and unity between the throne and the community, aiming to accelerate Epe’s development.
Representing the Atolagbe family, Dr. Yemi Agbeleoba acknowledged their willingness to cede Oko Oba Farmland to the monarch. However, he emphasized the need for all three ruling houses to participate for a lasting and traditional solution.
Agbeleoba expressed appreciation for the government’s directive, believing it will contribute to resolving the long-standing conflict.
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