Abuja demolitions and illegal acquisition of FCT land
Let us take a perfunctory look at the illegalities perpetrated by these fraudsters that pose as developers with a view to wittingly defraud unsuspecting members of the public; no where in the world will this kind of brazen theft and unlawful acquisition of land by these developers be condoned. Allocation of land in Abuja is […]
Let us take a perfunctory look at the illegalities perpetrated by these fraudsters that pose as developers with a view to wittingly defraud unsuspecting members of the public; no where in the world will this kind of brazen theft and unlawful acquisition of land by these developers be condoned. Allocation of land in Abuja is the exclusive preserve of the FCT Administration as enshrined in our constitution; most of the developers that had committed this illegality just encroached and commenced construction/building on land that was never at any point allocated to them, this can be justified by the proliferation of back-dated allocation papers on un-approved layouts, inconsistent title documents and forged building plan approvals supposedly originating from Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
What we had expected from these persons that are expressing cynical views with regards to the lawful sanction imposed and taken by the Development Control Department in removing the illegal structures from the illegally acquired plots of land is a very strong support for this singular stance rather than the sponsored negative public outcry against the Federal Capital Territory Administration for doing its mandated duty diligently. Aside from the requisite action taken by the FCT Administration; it also issued a public notice in print and electronic media warning Government Agencies, private developers, and susceptible members of the public against the tricks of such fraudsters. The adverts were published in the Punch Newspaper of Monday June 13, 2011, Page 38, Vanguard Newspaper of Monday June 20, 2011, Page 35, and Leadership Newspaper of Monday June 27, Page 64.
It is understandable that we have a serious housing deficit in Nigeria and the current FCT Administration is well aware of the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan which stipulates provision of affordable Housing for all, but the agenda does not stipulate or support Estate Developers to illegally acquire land for provision of housing estates which in itself is a serious crime that is punishable by the law. The FCT Administration must not only remove the illegal structures of these dubious developers but they should be made to face the full wrath of the law.
Based on the impunity shown by most of the developers to the markings by the Development Control Department, intermittently removal exercises were carried out after relevant notices were served. In spite of the removals, illegal developments were still being committed by the developers and appropriate notices and warnings were still served for them to discontinue. Details of the notices served can be verified from the Department of Development Control.
For the benefit of hindsight to avoid and dispel the mendacity that is being propagated by cynics on the removal of illegal structures in Minanuel Estate; this Estate is where the removal of illegal structures commenced in Kyami and Wawa Districts of the FCC. The developments (buildings) which were affected by the recent removal exercise were sufficiently informed and warned of their improprieties and the eventual consequences. In a blatant disregard for constituted authority, Minanuel Estate developers disregarded the warnings and continued with the illegal development with impunity and disdain. Consequently, the action by Minanuel Estate compelled the removal of some of the structures at the early stages of the construction and the refilling of some of the excavations made in preparation for further construction on October 27, 2011.
In a blatant manner, Minanuel Estate developers continued construction to advanced stages even though further warnings had been issued to it; this brought about the removal of illegal structures totalling one hundred and ninety eight (198) on 29th-30th September as against the purported Five hundred (500) houses that is being asserted.
It is also noteworthy of mention that Minanuel Estate was developed using fake title documents and backdated building plan approval allegedly issued by AMAC which the FCT Administration has always warned against, this remarkable fact was overwhelmingly given emphasis, to the developer in the course of the enforcement exercise.
In February 2012, officials of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) being concerned about the removal exercises of these illegal developments sought audience with the Development Control Department with a view to enabling obedience with existing regulations and thus stop further demolitions. In continuance to this, a joint site inspection of all the sites of illegal development was conducted in company of REDAN officials, after which they promised to prevail on their members to henceforth stop additional illegal developments. Defiantly the developers continued to develop illegal structures in an unabated manner to the consternation of the Development Control Department.
It is on record that AMAC and indeed all Area Councils stopped issuing title documents and building plan approvals for any development within the FCT as far back as 2004, and where legal approvals were issued and not applied for approved development, a revalidation becomes necessary after the stipulated 2 years in accordance with the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning laws, part 2, section 35, subsection 2 (a and b) of Decree No 88, 1992 as amended in 1999.
The recent removals forms the beginning of requisite actions on illegal developments within this district and other areas bothering it in strict compliance with the provision of detailed landuse plan and site development plans for phase 5 of the Federal Capital City (FCC).
Senator Bala Mohammed’s administration will no longer tolerate the excesses of these fraudsters as it hereby warns all illegal developers to discontinue the construction/building of illegal Estates due to the fact that all illegalities will be removed and the full wrath of the law will be brought to bear on the perpetrators of these vile crimes, and to also avoid the waste of resources since such developments will be met with suitable sanctions in due course.
The protection of the Abuja Master Plan remains sacrosanct, and any/all defaulters will be made to face the full wrath of the law no matter how highly placed any of these individuals might be.
Ibro wrote in from 17, Adisa Estate, Abuja. [email protected]