The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has inaugurated a task force on the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for mass housing and the recovery of land use contravention fees.
Inaugurating the task force on Tuesday, the minister said the action was to ensure that each of the houses in mass housing estates has its own C of O and pay for it.
He lamented that virtually all residential areas have been turned to commercial, adding that something must be done about it.
He said that those who contravened the Land Use Act must be recertified and pay penalties.
He explained that those given approval for residential buildings have converted to commercial structures, while those given for commercial also contravene by building residential houses.
The minister said that government agencies in charge of land administration in the FCT were part of the problem, adding that the agencies were included in the task force to solve the problem they created.
He said: “Part of the problem we are having is the agencies: development control is part of the problem; the land registry is part of the problem; Abuja Geographic Information System AGIS is part of the problem.
“That is why they are part of the task force to face the problem they have caused and solve the problem. No outsider will do it.
“So, you must be diligent. Of course, you know, I will monitor what you are doing, and this assignment will not last more than one month from today.
“Whatever fund you require, let us know, Zenith bank will provide you the fund, but I must approve the fund.
“You write to me, and I will tell Zenith Bank what I need,” the minister said.
He asked the task force to open two dedicated bank accounts for the assignment: one for non-compliance with the land use act and the other for the C of O.
He also asked the task force to include people who were given land by the Area Councils but without C of O, adding that those concerned should be asked to apply and be informed about the amount to pay.
Wike explained that Abuja depends on Internally Generated Revenue to execute projects in the FCT.
“I am not interested in who did not comply and I don’t want anybody to write to me that the task force came. All I need is results. I don’t want excuses,” he added.
Mr Michael Chinda, Senior Special Assistant to Wike on lands, urban and regional planning will serve as the chairman of the task force, while the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, Mr Shehu Ahmad would serve as the secretary.
