FCTA warns against illegal land deals in Abuja

CSOs claim lawmakers holding down aborigines

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has warned residents to desist from buying land from Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) within Abuja, insisting on demolishing any illegal structure in the city.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Bello, who gave this warning in Abuja, yesterday, noted that such transactions were in breach of the Abuja masterplan.

Represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to the Minister, Ikaro Attah, the minister said it was quite unfortunate that people were buying land from IDPs and building on swamps, waterbed and on perimeter fence of the old Federal Secretariat, which is unacceptable.

He lamented that buyers pay as much as N100,000 for land in a place that is full of snakes and other reptiles.

“We came back today to continue the clean up, because Senator Ali Udume appealed to us to allow them to pack their things. We all agreed that they should clear up the place.

“I can’t really estimate how many illegal structures were removed today, but the work continues. Many of these structures have been here for many years. These structures are built within swamps, waterbed and fences,” he said.

HOWEVER, a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has condemned the rejection of bills critical to the welfare of FCT natives.

During plenary on Tuesday, a bill seeking to create an office of the Mayor of the FCT and nomination of a minister from the FCT to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) failed at the upper legislative chamber.

Executive Director of Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), Ibrahim Zikirullahi, who spoke on behalf of the groups, yesterday, in Abuja, said the failure of the relevant amendments demonstrates the dysfunctional state of the country’s democracy.

Members of the coalition include Abuja Original Inhabitants Youth Empowerment Organisation, Association of FCT Traditional Rulers’ Wives, Mairo Women Foundation, Helpline Foundation for the Needy, Abiodun Essiet Initiative for Girls, Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Development Awareness, Socio-Economic Research and Development Centre, Centre for Transparency Advocacy and HipCity Innovation Centre.

While applauding lawmakers, who voted in favour of the critical amendments, Zikirullahi described those who voted against as enemies of the original inhabitants of Abuja.

According to him, such legislators have voted to continue the oppression, marginalisation and emasculation of people, who have made monumental commitment to the country’s unity, peace, and progress, adding that idea of a few people in the National Assembly thwarting Nigerians’ wishes was no longer tenable.

He said: “Nigeria has an unusual democratic system in which the people have a say but the government has the final say. In other places, where true democracy has taken root, the people have a say, and the government is compelled to listen to and implement the people’s decisions.

“So, if issues strongly advocated by people at the grassroots are unable to see the light of day in the constitution review process, what is the point of junketing and wasting scarce resources across the country in the name of constitution review hearings?”