Minister frowns at encroachment at Games Village

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has reiterated his commitment to resolving all knotty issues on land allocation in the FCT so as to end injustice and impunity in land administration in the territory. The minister stated this in Abuja last week during an on-the-spot assessment tour of sites and […]

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has reiterated his commitment to resolving all knotty issues on land allocation in the FCT so as to end injustice and impunity in land administration in the territory.

The minister stated this in Abuja last week during an on-the-spot assessment tour of sites and service facilities at the FCT Games Village, following a petition by the residents over the encroachment on public spaces by private housing developers.

Bello, during the visit, disclosed that the FCT Administration has set machinery in motion for the quick dispensation of justice on all land appeals and petitions in Abuja, which he said has been yielding positive results.

He assured that the observations made at the Games Village would be promptly investigated in order to address the concerns of the residents.

The minister decried the unwholesome activities of land grabbers in the FCT whom, he said, were distorting the Abuja master-plan in a bid to satisfy selfish interests. He warned them to desist from such activities or be made to face the full weight of the law.

It would be recalled that the Association of Games Village Estate residents had petitioned the FCT Administration over the activities of land grabbers who bulldozed their way and erected houses on spaces reserved for public facilities at the FCT Games Village.

The residents, who were elated by the minister’s prompt visit, said it demonstrated his sensitivity to the issue and the desire to make things right.

The chairman, Board of Trustees of the Games Village, Alhaji Abdullahi Yahaya, in his reaction, said, “We are most grateful for the honourable minister’s attention and we hope everything will be okay as he has taken up our matter now and under his tenure, we believe the estate will be better”.

Another resident, Chief Mike Obienyi, also appreciated the FCT minister for the great job he has done in the area of security in the FCT, including the lightening of dark areas that were considered as major security flash points.