Multiple plot titles unsettle Dev Control

Developers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are having tough times in the hands of officials of the Department of Development Control of Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC). Developers complain of delay in issuance of development approval, loss of application documents, unwarranted marking of structures under development and arbitrary issuance of Stop Work order. In […]

Developers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are having tough times in the hands of officials of the Department of Development Control of Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC).
Developers complain of delay in issuance of development approval, loss of application documents, unwarranted marking of structures under development and arbitrary issuance of Stop Work order.
In 2013, a developer while celebrating opening of his property told Daily Trust that he submitted papers seeking approval for development of his plot in Life Camp but was told his file could not be traced after repeated visits to the development office for a whole year. He said he reported the matter to the presidency. His file was recovered when the minister of FCT at the time was issued directive to retrieve the file.
Last August, another developer complained of being issued Stop Work order for what he suspects to be hidden interest of a senior official of the Department of Development Control in the plot. Development Control authorities on June 24, 2015 marked the three-floor structure under construction citing conflicting interests in the title of the land.    
The parcel of land is in Wuye District Abuja. The owner of the plot said he applied for land in 1982.
After waiting for 22 years, a former minister of FCT, Nasir el-Rufai (now governor of Kaduna State) while reviewing pending land applications allocated this plot to him. Originally, the land bore a female name. The original title was revoked because it was considered a ghost allottee.  There were no records suggesting that the woman was a genuine allottee.
By 2009, the developer had made necessary payments including half payment for his CofO. He secured Development Control approval in July 2012 and commenced construction works on site.
He narrates his experience, “To my surprise, I didn’t know, they said after el-Rufai left, they reverted the land to… In 2012, when I came to check for ground rent to pay, I found that the land had been allocated to one…Ali from Kano.
“We went to court. The court looked for…Ali, went to the address he gave, gave bailiff money to go to Kano. He couldn’t trace this address. He never appeared in court despite all appeals and summons.
“Later on, somebody came saying that he bought the land from…Ali. You know that they never applied for development. They’re just speculators.
“I applied and started development, nothing happened until June 2015. A director in the Development Control came and stopped us. That he knew a man that owns the plot. The man came, we discussed and agreed that the only alternative was for him to get another plot.
“We went to the land people. They were very cooperative. They agreed to give him alternative plot but they had to make recommendation to the minister to approve. They made the recommendation.
“After that, this director advised the man to collect money from me otherwise he would not allow me to continue with my development despite clearance from the director of lands. This was done considering the level of development I have made.
“But this director insisted I wouldn’t continue until I pay money to this his front called… I’m not ready to do that and it’s a very clear case of insubordination to his boss who gave the go ahead.
“He threatened to vandalise the building and make sure that if another minister comes, he’ll not approve and he will demolish the building – all sorts of threat. Threatening a developer like me in preference to a speculator who just wants to buy land and sell!
“They stopped me and many of my property are getting spoilt by the rains – our wood, cement getting spoilt on the site. I can’t see why one man, just because he is in Development Control can dictate this. I’m sure I’m not the only victim – there are lots of cases like this. Government should take this seriously. It’s high level corruption. Such people should be called to order.
“The land administrators have cleared it, indicated clearly to him that this issue has been investigated and I should be allowed to continue. Still this director won’t allow us because he has the right to do everything,” the man narrated.
 Checks showed that in 2008, a Committee on the Review of Revoked Titles in FCT approved withdrawal of title from the current holder. The committee’s understanding was that the title would revert to original holder who was a female.
But there was no documentation (policy file or digital record) on the woman outside of the ministerial approval. And more worrisome was the fact that the plot was equally awarded to another person meaning three persons can lay claim to the plot.
Interestingly, both the first and third allottees are never to be seen. The last man who appears on the scene claims he bought the plot from third allottee who cannot be seen.
The director of Development Control Department, Hamza Madaki denied that his office is involved.
The Department of Development Control is the organ of the FCT administration that is saddled with the responsibility of monitoring and ensuring compliance with all development guidelines, largely, the Abuja Master Plan and the FCT Regional Development Plan.
 In 1999, the federal government directed the computerisation of all land operations at the federal level. This decision was partly informed by need to check cases of land fraud. Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) was created  for computerisation of all lands records which should include: accurate compilation of personal data of applicants for land, storage and retrieval of cadastral information on layouts, security and control of access to confidential land information management data such as acquisitions, assessments, allocations valuations, consents, assignments and registration of land related matters.
Despite the laudable reasons for the establishment of AGIS, some land records are still not straight. Head Information/Customer Care, AGIS Mr Cosmas Uzodinma said AGIS is not involved in the above matter – that it is for lands department. Director Lands Mainasara Babayo declined to speak.
During his screening for ministerial position last month, Ibrahim Usman Jibril who was part of the team that set up AGIS, told the senate that multiple land allocations in Abuja are common because of corrupt tendencies of government officials. It is therefore hoped that government will now tackle the phenomenon with renewed zeal and vigour.