…Donates 50 security vehicles to security agencies in FCT
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The FCT Minister Barr Nyesom Wike has warned that no amount of blackmail can stop him from revocation of lands without documents to back it up or those of owners who have refused to pay ground rent as several notifications.
Wike gave this warning on Thursday at the handing over ceremony of 50 Hilux buses to security agencies in Abuja.
The minister was apparently reacting to the controversy that has trailed his decision to revoke a plot of land in which one Chief Rita Lori Ogbebor has an interest.
The minister insisted that those who are laying claims to lands that have been revoked should produce documents to back their claims.
The minister also warned construction companies against grabbing lands, adding that lands given to them to house their equipment do not automatically become their own.
He said, “Let me use this opportunity to tell Nigerians and residents of Abuja, we are not afraid of blackmail. In fact, you cannot be in this type of position and expect not to be blackmailed, particularly as regards this Abuja. Some of us have come to put our feet down.”
“We will stop anybody who thinks that they can obtain government land without formal approval. We will not look at your face.”
“If you like, you can be a civil rights activist. If you like, you can be a television talker. What is wrong.
“No amount of blackmail can stop us. People take government property without approval, without documents and I have told people that there was a government yesterday, the government did not take any step does not mean that another government will come today and will not take any step.”
” Or even if this government does not, tomorrow another government will come that may take a step. That you did something 15 years ago does not mean it is right. It does not mean it is right.”
“You cannot take blackmail to get something from the government. You can’t. You cannot.”, he warned.
“You cannot tell me if they give you a site because of your construction you finish, the land now turns out to be your own. Is it possible? Show me the document that it is yours. I am not that kind of person you can think that you go on television and start saying you have lived on the land for over 20 years.”
” And so what? You are a squatter. If you like, go and carry everybody. What is wrong.”
Meanwhile, the FCT
Minister today handed over 50 Hilux buses to security agencies in the territory.
The 50 Hilux buses distributed today is the second batch of 50 buses earlier given to security agencies to aid their job .
Wike said that security of the people is paramount in the FCT, tasked the security agencies to use the buses for the business of security and not to be converted into other uses like going to the market and doing school runs.
