Mr. Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), launched two committees on Friday. These committees will look into land issues at River Park Estate and the misuse of land laws in the FCT.
While setting up the committees in Abuja, Wike said these issues are very important to help the FCT Administration better manage land matters.
He said the River Park Committee will be led by the top legal adviser of the FCT and a senior public service official will act as the secretary.
Wike explained that sometimes the government gives letters of intent to people who want to build mass housing estates.
He said the FCT usually signs agreements (MoUs) with estate developers, but many of them break the rules in the agreements.
The River Park Estate Committee will investigate land problems in the estate and give advice to the FCT government on what actions to take.
The committee has been given only two weeks to finish its work, and there will be no extra time given.
He told the members to work hard, even if it means working all day, because the job must be finished on time.
Wike warned the committee to work professionally and not allow pressure or interference from anyone.
He said if anyone, either from inside or outside the FCT administration — especially from AGIS or the admin department — tries to influence them, there will be consequences.
He also said if any department refuses to give the committee needed information, they should report it to him immediately.
The second committee will focus on reviewing land uses and purposes in areas that have been taken over by businesses and other activities.
This second committee will be led by the Director of Development Control, and the Director of Urban and Regional Planning will be the secretary.
Wike explained that each land has a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) that shows whether it is meant for commercial, residential, or other uses according to Abuja’s master plan.
But many people are now using residential lands for business purposes without government approval, which is against the law.
He said the committee will find areas where land is being used wrongly, especially when people violate the rules stated in their C of O.
These violations may happen in areas like Central Business District, Maitama, Asokoro, Garki, Wuse I, and Wuse II.
Once the committee identifies the problem areas, they must recommend what actions the government should take based on existing rules.
This could mean either canceling the land titles or charging a penalty if the landowners want to change the land use officially.
This second committee also has two weeks to complete its job and suggest strong and practical solutions to the government.
Wike again stressed that the work must be done without any pressure or interference from anyone.
He said the aim is to let the public know what the government is doing to fix the wrong use of land in the FCT.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), other members of the River Park Committee include the minister’s aide on lands and planning, deputy director of lands, and heads of departments for security, development control, and AGIS.
Members of the second committee include directors of land administration, surveying and mapping, AGIS, and engineering services.
