By Joyce Asukwo
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) said it has discovered several cases of illegal land allocation in the Federal Capital Territory by FCT officials working in tandem with land racketeers
Speaking with select journalists, the acting Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) of the FCTA, Mr Abdulhamid Sulaiman, confirmed the development and advised members of the public to be aware of the criminal activities of some of its officials working with land racketeers in Abuja.
Suliaman noted that only the FCT Minister, Malam Mohammad Musa Bello has the authority to allocate land in the Territory, powers which were delegated to him by the President and as such no other person has powers to make allocations of land anywhere in the Territory.
He said investigations were ongoing to identify those who have been making illegal allocation in the Territory among staff of the FCTA and anyone found wanting would be dealt with and prosecuted.
“The FCT Administration is already aware that some unscrupulous elements, in connivance with some officials, are reportedly issuing letters of allocation in this respect.
“And anybody caught dealing on these illegal allocations will not only be dealt with in the Civil Service way but will also be prosecuted”.
“I also want to draw the attention of the public to strict adherence to development control guidelines because the FCT is a planned city, based on the Abuja Master Plan and all the regulations must be followed in order to avoid distortion that could risk the destruction of lives and property.
“Therefore, those willing to develop their legitimately and legally allocated land should approach the Development Control Department (DCD) for guidance and proper approval before they can commence development,” he advised.
It would be recalled that a non-governmental organization, Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA) had recently accused the Minister of the FCT of illegally allocating plots in green areas and open spaces in Abuja without recourse to the Abuja master plan.
HURIWA also cited the case in ECOWAS estate in Katampe extension which he said has been turned into a “slum” as a result of the activities of FCTA officials who have carved out all green areas and open spaces in the once pristine estate “the real shock is that the allottees are carrying letters signed by the FCT minister as early as last year, when the allocation of the estate was done over 20 years ago.”
