Multi billion naira ECOWAS estate rots in Abuja

ECOWAS Estate is located in Katampe II, not far away from the Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX). A turn into Katampe II along the overhead bridge near the NNPC mega station by the 10-lane highway leads one to the estate. The 100 housing units comprise four-bedroom duplexes with boys’ quarters attached and three-bedroom flats with boys’ […]

ECOWAS Estate is located in Katampe II, not far away from the Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX). A turn into Katampe II along the overhead bridge near the NNPC mega station by the 10-lane highway leads one to the estate. The 100 housing units comprise four-bedroom duplexes with boys’ quarters attached and three-bedroom flats with boys’ quarters.
The estate, properly fenced lies at the foot of the Katampe rolling hill. It was developed by ECOWAS to accommodate diplomats from the West African member countries.
When Daily Trust visited, it was denied access. Security men from Eagleview Concepts Limited who stood guard maintained that nobody is allowed access unless they come with a letter from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA). According to them, only those interested in buying property in the place are allowed entry when they present letter issued them by FCDA.
This reporter could see from the gate that houses in the estate have cracked and blighted walls, some window glasses broken or removed – in fact, houses that would have made beautiful homes are just scruffy. Apparently, vandals’ hands have taken toll on the buildings. A resident said the abandoned property has become a security risk in the neighbourhood.
It’s no more ECOWAS’ property
Investigations showed that the estate is no more property of ECOWAS. It has been handed over to Nigeria government which in turn passed it onto FCDA. According to a source, the commission took a loan to build the estate. Though there was no official information, it was observed that the houses were due for use when the place was locked up. It therefore looks like the contractor (could not be identified as at the time of filling this report) had trouble with the owner of the estate. Roads were paved, electricity was connected and water pipes were laid but the project might not have been fully paid for. It was said that apart from the loan, member countries of ECOWAS were expected to pool resources for the development of the estate but that was not done so ECOWAS had to lose the property.
Information officer with ECOWAS Haruna Ali Warkani confirmed that during the last council of state meeting in Accra, Ghana (about two months ago), it was agreed that the property be handed over to the federal government. 
Reason for this, according to Warkani, is housing allowances have been monetized so it will amount to contradiction to keep housing estate for staff of the commission. He said the organization took the decision because of outrageous maintenance costs as well as logistics problems.
According to him, following increasing demand for housing, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) allotted the plot to ECOWAS to build houses for members.
He however said building houses for workers had not been easy for the commission just as renting was. To get out of the quagmire, the commission opted for monetization in 2003. He said workers are now happy as management helps them to buy homes through mortgage.
Efforts to get the Executive Secretary of FCDA, Mr Adamu Ismaila failed. But a source said since taking possession of the property, FCDA has been servicing the loan that was taken for the project.
A source in the Development Control Department of Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) told our reporter that the estate was closed because it encroached on some Right of Way (RoW) and on land not part of the plot and it had no building plan approval. “The developers felt that since it involved ECOWAS, they could go ahead and build without approval,” the development control source stated.
The Public Relations Officer of Development Control Department, Mr Emetu Kalu said the estate will definitely be pulled down if its development contravenes regulations. Kalu who said who would make enquiries about the estate vowed, “No matter who the person is, as long as they don’t do the right thing, we won’t allow it.” He lamented that even if approvals are given, some developers disregard the rules and do as it suits them.