By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike has approved the withdrawal and revocation of houses sold to individuals under the monetization programme by the FCT Administration but converted to other uses.
Director, Department of Development Control, FCDA, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, stated this at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday.
Galadima recalled that the Federal Government in 2005 initiated the monetization programme because of the cost of maintaining the houses, adding that the houses were sold to the occupiers so that they could maintain them.
He decried the conversion of the houses from residential to other uses, said it constitutes so much burden in terms of city administration, adding that the management administration felt it cannot condone any longer.
“It is on this note that the minister has approved and directed that all owners of such properties should revert the use of the properties to its original and designated land use, which is residential.”
“Failing to comply with this directive as from Nov. 1, such house is considered as revoked.”
We are giving such people and individuals to the end of October to revert to original uses, otherwise from Nov. 1, they should consider such properties as revoked and returned to FCTA, he emphasized.
Galadima said that the department has recorded more than 111 cases of land use conversion concerning the sold houses, cutting across all the districts of the capital city.
He added that owners of the properties have been informed and given notices to revert to the original land uses but failed to comply.
According to him, once these houses are revoked, the FCTA will decide the next line of action.
“The minister has also directed that owners of properties, particularly along major streets, that have converted their properties to other uses without approval should either revert to original use or pay contravention charges.
“Anyone who fails to comply with such a directive, the administration will take appropriate action, which may include revocation.”
“It is on this note that we felt it wise to inform the public of the decision and directive of the FCT Administration in regard to the indiscriminate conversion of land uses in FCT.”
“This is done to maintain the sanctity of the Abuja Master Plan, Galadima stressed.
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