Row over Mpape road corridor
This time, it is in Mpape, the hilly settlement on the fringe of the exclusively-for-the-rich Maitama District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Last June, the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) ascended the hill top settlement with a large number of Mobile Police and marked numerous houses in zones A, H and K of the […]
This time, it is in Mpape, the hilly settlement on the fringe of the exclusively-for-the-rich Maitama District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Last June, the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) ascended the hill top settlement with a large number of Mobile Police and marked numerous houses in zones A, H and K of the town for removal. Reason. The houses are on the corridor of a road to be built in the area. The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) said it has plans to build a ring road linking Masaka in Nasarawa State to Maitama in FCT.
Residents express fears that government might only want to evict them and then give the land to top government officials and politicians. They are also not certain that full compensations may be paid them pointing out that government might hide under cover that the plots were not allotted by the FCT minister and so declare them illegal.
Our reporter who visited the place last Tuesday reported that beautifully built houses have been marked in red colour with words, “RC/K/FNR Corridor 27.6.13”. There is a Mobile Police barracks which obviously stands on the Right of Way (RoW) but authorities meandered the way so as to allow the barracks to stay while private houses that should have been unaffected, particularly those on Chijoke Adindu Avenue have been captured for removal. FCDA’s layout plan of Mpape Cadastral zone shows that the proposed road will curve away from the barracks towards private homes.
The ring road which is designed to ease congestion on the ever crammed Keffi-Abuja road links Tipper Garage area in Maitama with Masaka through Mpape, Nyanya, Maraba and Ado. The proposed road will from Tipper Garage pass through zones A,H and K of Mpape, connect ENL Quarry road and proceed to Nyanya and Masaka.
The battle against demolition
House owners fault government’s action here saying government has the option of looking at less built up areas for the road. Already, residents have taken up battle against government. The matter is in an FCT High Court. The affected persons under the banner Mpape Hills Landlords Forum on Aug. 16, 2013 secured an injunction stopping FCDA and its agents from continuing with actions that will lead to pulling down of structures in the area. Justice M. Balami gave the order. Hearing of the substantive suit continues on Oct. 10. FCDA in its defence said land allocation in Abuja is exclusive preserve of the FCT minister, therefore, any allocation by the area councils is unknown to it.
The people however query the rationale of government’s action saying the road is not in Abuja masterplan. They argue that they had followed due process in getting their titles.
How they got their titles
Investigations show that some of the homeowners built their plots as early as 1994 when Mpape was more of a jungle. Certificates of Occupancy (Co of Os) were issued them by the authorities of Bwari Area Council.
In 2007, when the then minister of FCT, Malam Nasir el-Rufai directed that area councils should stop selling land and all titles be regularised with the Abuja Geographic System (AGIS), the title bearers complied. Those who started building thenceforth got their building plans approved by the Development Control.
One of those whose houses have been marked told this writer, “This place is a residential layout clearly designed by Bwari Area Council. It has relevant features. Why is the Mopol [Mobile Police] barracks not affected? One of the owners of these houses, a retired army officer developed stroke when he saw the mark on his property.
“When we came, this place was bushy – in fact, it was a curse to live in Mpape. But we braved the odds and we changed this place. We’re shocked by government’s action. FCDA came with 60 Mobile Policemen to mark these houses.” He said FCDA must fully pay compensation for the houses before the matter will end in court.
But another property owner said he does not consider losing his property on the spot it is for anything. Rather, he wants FCDA to consider the option of diverting the way to places with fewer obstacles so he will be let to be.
Where govt failed
Apparently, government’s actions in this matter have not been tidy. First, FCDA came with too many security men just to mark the houses. This action, residents said they were traumatised. Second, government had not for once hinted them that a road would be constructed so their houses would need to give way. They expected government to have held a meeting with them or at least served them notice. None of these was done. Third and the most curious thing is FCDA brought a letter dated Aug. 13, 2013 informing residents of government’s plans whereas marking of the houses had been done since June 27, 2013. Because of all this, some land owners refused to collect the letter and do as directed.
The letter with Reference Number FCDA/DRC/VC/13/152/918/1 which emanated from FCDA’s Department of Resettlement and Compensation bore the title “Alignment of Maitama/Mpape/Ado/Nyanya/Masaka/Gurku Ring Road Joint Project of FCT and Nasarawa State”. It read: “Dear Occupant/Landlord, we wish to inform you that as a result of the alignment of Maitama/Mpape/Ado/Nyanya/Masaka/Gurku Ring Road Joint Project of FCT and Nasarawa State, staff of the Department of Resettlement and Compensation shall be carrying out valuation of structures that lie within the road corridor.
“In view of the above, we are by this notice informing you that your structure falls within the road corridor and will accordingly be numbered, enumerated and assessed with a view to paying compensation for the structure/s before the commencement of the project.
“However, we will require the following documents to enable us process for compensation: Certificate of Occupancy and relevant documents relating to the plot, approval building plan/setting out approval, two passport photographs, and any other relevant documents.
“Submit documents on or before 31/08/2013.”
The letter was signed by the Director, Resettlement and Compensation, Mr Francis Okechukwu.
The people’s fears
Government was not represented in court the day orders were given for suspension of action(s) toward pulling down of structures. The landlords therefore fear that FCDA might go ahead with its plans to demolish their houses claiming to be unaware of the court’s injunction. Many resorted to posting zerox copies of the court order on their gates as a way of warding off FCDA agents.
Efforts to hear from the Department of Resettlement and Compensation over this failed. The Public Relations Officer of the department, Mr Joseph Attah demanded that questions be sent him through his email. That was done but he did not respond citing ill health. He later told this reporter to pass the questions to the director of the department, Mr Okechukwu. That was done, yet they declined speaking.
In Mpape alone, over 80 houses are to give way. One wonders how many more will be involved in the remaining settlements the proposed road will pass through – many questions but no one to give answers.