By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto

Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has pledged to intervene in the  workers’ loan repayments that were deducted from their salaries but never remitted to the respective banks.

The Governor made this commitment while responding to an appeal by the Sokoto State Chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdullahi Aliyu, who urged the state government to intervene in the matter.

According to the NLC chairperson, many workers who took loans through salary deductions have continued to suffer due to the failure of officials in the previous administration to remit the deductions to the banks.

“Your Excellency, please come to the aid of these people. They have been at a crossroads for years,” Comrade Abdullahi appealed. “We know you to be firm in defending people’s rights. Please apply your popular slogan, in kudi kudi in aiki aiki, to recover the diverted funds.”

Governor Aliyu assured the labour leader and affected workers that his administration will investigate the  matter  and ensure that the right thing is done .

“This administration prioritizes human rights and will not condone any violations under any guise,” the Governor said. “We are committed to protecting the rights of the weak, the less privileged, and the downtrodden in our state.”

a statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to the governor quoted his principal as appealing to the people of State to continue their support and cooperation with his administration so that they can continue to benefit from the dividends of democracy.

The governor further expressed gratitude for the public’s fervent prayers to his administration and urged them to mentain the tempo.

By Abubakar Yusuf

Over the decades , the administration of Lands in the nation’s city and area councils has been characterised with series of sharp practices, corruption, fake allocation, encroachments, double allocations among many others from the FCT allocation to area councils allocations, creating so many crises that involved even the officials of both FCT and area councils.

These ugly development spanned for over two decades and since the movement of the FCT from Lagos to Abuja does not augur well for the development of Federal Capital Territory FCT, Abuja and had tend to erode and bastardise the original master plan of the FCT , hence creating frequent adjustments and readjustments ,through demolitions among many other things that will restore the FCT original master plan .

Determined to right the wrongs in the Land sector , along with physical, infrastructural and socioeconomic development of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike introduced a sweeping program that will restore not only the dignity of land administration in the FCT and area councils, but bring sanity to land administration in the nation’s city.

This is been done through the need to regularise the over 261,000 lands allocated by the area councils closed to two decades , precisely since 2006,(17 years), with only and barely 8,000 have been regularized.

According to the Minister , the new policy gave land allottees in FCT within 21 days to process and accept documents beginning from April 21, while land development that was kept for many decades will be developed within two years or attract revocation and re-allocation to interested developers without further delay .

It is on record that abandoned plots and uncompleted houses has been the abode for criminals , criminal elements and their collaborators, who engaged in all sorts of vices and criminalities across the length and breadth of the nation’s city and area councils .

In 2000, through Public Private Partnership PPP, Mass Housing of allocation of FCT land was carried out to interested companies and organizations, this was geared towards providing mass and affordable houses for Abuja residents across the FCT, the private developers took advantage of the mass arrangement without doing the needful, by proper titling , with the new arrangements on land reforms , reclamation and recovery, all allotted lands and allottees are expected to regularise their allocations henceforth.

Payment of fees and rents among other bills will be regularized with the new policy, as out of the 445 engaged Mass Housing Program through PPP, only two developers met with the terms and conditions specified by the FCT administration.

The Minister who was very explicit and determined on genuine land reforms made announcement inter alia as follows…

“WIKE INTRODUCES SWEEPING REFORMS IN FCT LAND ADMINISTRATION
• AREA COUNCIL LAND ALLOCATIONS TO BE REGULARISED
• MASS HOUSING PROPERTIES TO BE TITLED IN FAVOUR OF BUYERS
• ALLOTTEES MUST DEVELOP LANDS WITHIN TWO YEARS.”

“We are here to intimate you of the broad and comprehensive reforms on land administration in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), that the Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON, has approved for implementation.”

“These reforms, which will become operational from April 21, 2025, cover specific areas like conditions of grant of Statutory Right of Occupancy, contents of the Statutory Right of Occupancy Bill, contents of Letter of Acceptance/Refusal of offer of grant of Right of Occupancy, titling of Mass Housing and sectional interests, as well as regularization of Area Council Land documents.”

“It should be noted that before now, deadline for payment of bills, rents, fees and charges is not specified in the Statutory Right of Occupancy bill, and no penalty for failure to make payment promptly. This has caused delay in revenue receivable due to non-collection of Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) and non-payment of bills, slower pace of infrastructural development, sustained land speculation and racketeering while huge expenses have been incurred by the FCT Administration through repeated advertisements and publications notifying the public on the need for collection of R-of-O and timely payment of bills and charges.”

“Consequently, as against the unspecified period within which to collect the Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) and make full payment of the Statutory Right of Occupancy bills and charges, land allottees now have 21 days from the date of offer, to make full payment of all bills, fees, rents and charges prescribed on offers of Statutory Rights of Occupancy and submit a duly completed Letter of acceptance alongside evidence of payments, or lose the offer.”

“Also, as against the lengthy period within which to develop allocated lands, the period within which to erect and complete developments on any land granted in the FCT is now two years from the date of the commencement of the R-of-O.”

“Therefore, any R-of-O bills and any other payments made outside the stipulated 21 days shall be considered invalid while any land granted should be developed within two years. ”

“On lands previously allocated by Area Councils, the law stipulates that all lands in the FCT are urban land. It therefore becomes necessary that all land documents issued by the Area Councils are considered for regularization to statutory titles in line with relevant statutes.”

“It should be noted that in 2006, the Zonal Land, Planning and Survey offices of the six Area Councils were directed to submit all Area Council allocation lists, layouts, files and registers to Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS)/Lands Department, and this was done by the Area Councils.”

“However, to date, out of the 261,914 Area Council land documents submitted for regularization, only 8,287 have been vetted, out of which only 2,358 were cleared, validated and regularized to statutory titles. The 8,287 were vetted from 2006 to 2023 (17 years), and this represents just 3.2% of the total land documents submitted for vetting and regularization as at today, the FCT Administration is still left with 253,627 submissions in its database.”

“Area Council land documents successfully vetted and confirmed would have statutory titles on such lands issued and the allottees will have sixty days to make full payments of all bills, fees, rents and charges prescribed, failure of which the offers shall become invalid.”

“On Mass Housing, it should be noted that the Mass Housing Programme was initiated in year 2000 to utilize the Public Private Partnership (PPP) strategy with the objective of providing affordable housing for the residents of FCT. ”

“However, from the inception of the Mass Housing programme in 2000 till date, out of the 445 Mass Housing allocations granted, only two developers have successfully met the terms and conditions.”

“A new operational framework for titling of Mass Housing and Sectional Interests has been developed to fast-track the exercise efficiently, effectively and diligently, in line with the Minister’s vision to restore confidence in the administration of lands in the FCT.”

“Currently, the holders/occupiers of properties within the various Mass Housing Estates in the FCT do not pay and bills, rents, fees and charges to the government despite having held and occupied the properties for decades.”

“In recognition of the urgent need to issue titles to the beneficiaries of Mass Housing and Sectional Interests, all applications for titling are to be made by the Subscribers/Developers to the Department of land Administration for processing.”

“Processing of titles for Mass Housing and Sectional Interests shall commence on April 21, 2025, in line with the new operational framework. ”

The release further shed more light…

“The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) screened only 8,287 out of the 261,914 area council land documents submitted for regularization between 2006 and 2023.”

“Mr Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Friday.”

“Olayinka said that the 8,287 vetted land documents represented only 3.2 per cent of the 261,914 documents submitted for vetting and regularization. ”

“According to him, the FCT Administration was still left with 253,627 submissions in its database.”

“He explained that the measure was part of the broad and comprehensive reforms on land administration in the FCT approved by the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike.”

“He said that the reforms, which would become operational from April 21, covers specific areas like conditions of grant of statutory Right of Occupancy (R of O), and contents of the statutory R of O bill.”

“Others, he said, would include contents of Letter of Acceptance/Refusal of offer of grant of R of O, titling of mass housing and sectional interests, as well as regularization of area council land documents.”

“He explained that the crux of the sweeping reforms in the FCT land administration would ensure the regularization of land allocations in area councils and title of mass housing properties in favour of buyers.”

“He added that land allottees were also expected to develop allocated lands within two years.”

“The spokesman explained that in 2006, the Zonal Land, Planning and Survey Offices of the six area councils were directed to submit all area council’s allocation lists.”

“He added that the lists, which were submitted to the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) and Lands Department, included layouts, files and registers.”

“Olayinka, however, said that to date, out of the 8,287 vetted documents, only 2,358 lands were cleared, validated and regularised to statutory titles.”

“He said that area council land documents successfully vetted and confirmed, would be given statutory titles on such lands.”

“He added that the allottees would have sixty days to make full payments of all bills, fees, rents and charges prescribed, failure of which the offers shall become invalid.”

“The spokesman explained that the action was in line with the provision of the law, which stipulated that all lands in the FCT were urban land.”

“It, therefore, becomes necessary that all land documents issued by the area councils are considered for regularization to statutory titles in line with relevant statutes,” he said.

In the same vein , the Director of Land Administration, FCTA, opined …

“The Director of Land Administration, FCTA Chijioke Nwankwoeze, said that the decision to regularise lands issued by area councils was to give the land reform a human face.”

“Nwankwoeze noted that not much progress had been achieved from 2006 to date, considering the 253,627 land documents, representing 96.8 per cent awaiting clearance.”

“He, however, expressed optimism that the documents would be cleared in two years following the framework approved by Wike.”

“I am confident that the holders of area councils’ lands will begin to smile because they will now have statutory R of O and Certificate of Occupancy upon full payments of requisite bills,” he said.”

With the new policy thrust, the issue of land speculations , land grabbing and fraud sweeping across FCT, that had become milk and honey of questionable Nigerians will become a thing of the past , as well as restore the good image of the nation’s city and it’s area councils.

Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.

BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF

Under the leadership of the new Executive Secretary, Chief Executive Officer (ES CEO,) Financial Reporting Council FRC, Dr Rabiu Onaolapo Olowo, appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in October, 2023 introduced DOSE as a template to reaching the stated objectives and meeting the desired reforms been introduced by the new management.

Olowo who met an incomplete organization who originally is meant to have seven departments, but for administrative lapses operated with five departments that made it’s regulatory and supervisory roles incomplete and leave much to be desired.
With the introduction of “DOSE”, (Digitization, Operational Excellence, Stakeholders Engagement and Excellence).the need to operate under a full fledged departments was obvious, hence the need to complement the remaining two Departments of Valuation and Standards and Department of Actuarial Standards to address the lingering gap that had militated against it’s operation over the years.

Without further delay, he raised alarm on the un- conducive atmosphere and office accommodation that was not befitting of a government parastatal and quickly put in place a befitting accommodation both in Abuja and Lagos office , that staffers became contented with along with prioritizing workers welfare.

The two new departments of Valuation and Standards is crucial and significant to the performance of its role as it measures the activities of companies in the country and ensured it met with both local and global standards, the absence that created a wider gap among others.
For the department of Actuarial standards is to develop a well thought out workable standards and concepts that will actualise inventions and innovations, as well as turning proposal into a working tool for subsequent deployment, including liasing with local and international bodies to ensure standard among others.

With the full complement of seven departments after the creation of two new departments, the job of regulations and monitoring became a little easier and focused based on the new template and reviewed order .

Other Directorates are
Directorate of Accounting Standards – Private Sector
The Directorate of Accounting Standards ― Private Sector shall for the Council:

(a) develop accounting and financial reporting standards to be observed in the preparation of financial statements in the private sector and small and medium scale enterprises;
(b) promote the general acceptance and adoption of such standards by preparers and users of financial statements;

(c) promote compliance with the accounting standards developed or reviewed by the Directorate;

(d) review from time to time the accounting standards developed in line with the prevalent social, economic and political environment;

(e) promote compliance with the accounting and financial reporting standards adopted by the Council;
(f) promote, in the public interest, accounting and financial reporting standards to be observed in the preparation of financial statements of public interest entities; and

g) perform such other duties which in the opinion of the Board are necessary or expedient to ensure the efficient performance of the functions of the Council.

Directorate of Accounting Standards
-Public Sector

The directorate of Accounting Standards ― Public Sector shall for the Council:
(a) develop accounting and financial reporting standards for the public sector;

(b) consider significant areas of accounting and financial reporting that can be improved through the standard-setting process;

(c) promote the general acceptance and adoption of such standards by preparers and users of financial statements in the public sector;

(d) promote compliance with the accounting standards developed or reviewed by the Directorate;
(e) review from time to time the accounting standards developed in line with the prevalent social, economic and political environment; and

(f) perform such other duties which in the opinion of the Board are necessary or expedient to ensure the efficient performance of the functions of the Council.

Directorate of Auditing Practices Standards
The Directorate of Auditing Practices Standards shall, for the Council:

(a) develop or liaise with relevant professional bodies on auditing and ethical standards set by it.

(b) promote auditing standards which set out the basic principles and essential procedures with which external Auditors in Nigeria are required to comply;

(c) issue guidance on the application of auditing standards in particular circumstances and industries and timely guidance on new and emerging issues;

(d) establish standards and related guidance for Accountants providing assurance services;

(e) encourage establishment of ethical standards in relation to the independence, objectivity and integrity of external auditors and those providing assurance services;

(f) play appropriate role in the development of regulations and accounting standards which affect the conduct of auditing and assurance services, both domestically and internationally;

(g) collaborate with relevant professional bodies to advance public understanding of the roles and responsibilities of external auditors and the providers of assurance services including the sponsorship of research; and

(h) perform such other duties which in the opinion of the Board are necessary or expedient to ensure the efficient performance of external Auditors.
Directorate of Actuarial Standards
The Directorate of Actuarial Standard shall, for the Council:

(a) develop an appropriate conceptual framework to guide the setting of relevant actuarial standards, including the explicit objectives and characteristics of such standards;

(b) create a process for the development and adoption of standards which ensures that the objectives of the conceptual framework can be applied in practice;

(c) develop relevant actuarial standards, or amend existing ones, in response to evolving commercial practices, economic development and deficiencies identified in current practice;

(d) take account, where appropriate, of the regulatory requirements of the legislation or any other relevant regulatory body and liaise with the actuarial profession regarding areas of practice for which new standards may be required or existing standard should be modified or clarified;

(e) consider the need for a generic standard for the communication of actuarial advice;

(f ) liaise with the International Actuarial Association and other international bodies on the development and application of international actuarial standards; and

(g) perform such other duties which in the opinion of the Board are necessary or expedient to ensure the efficient performance of the functions of the Council.
Directorate of Valuation Standards
The Directorate of Valuation Standards shall, for the Council:

(a) develop an appropriate conceptual framework to guide the setting of relevant valuation standards, including the explicit objectives and characteristics of such standards;

(b) create a process for the development and adoption of standards which ensures that the objectives of the conceptual framework can be applied in practice;

(c) develop relevant valuation standards, or amend existing ones, in response to evolving commercial practices, economic developments and deficiencies identified in current practice;

(d) take account, where appropriate, of the regulatory requirements of the legislation and any other relevant regulatory body. Liaise with the valuation profession regarding areas of practice for which new standards may be required or existing standards should be modified or clarified;

(e) consider the need for a generic standard for the communication of valuation advice;
(f) liaise with the International Valuation Standards Board and other international bodies on the development and application of international valuation standards; and

(g) perform such other duties which in the opinion of the Board are necessary or expedient to ensure the efficient performance of the functions of the Council.
Directorate of Inspection and Monitoring
Directorate of Inspection and Monitoring shall, for the Council:

(a) monitor compliance with auditing, accounting, actuarial and valuation standards and guidelines reviewed and adopted by the Council;

(b) recommend through the Technical and Oversight Committee, sanctions as may be necessary for the Council’s approval; and

(c) implement sanctions and fines as approved by the Council in sub-section (1) (b) of this section.
Directorate of Corporate Governance
The objectives of the Directorate of Corporate Governance are ―

(a) to develop principles and practices of corporate governance;

(b) to promote the highest standards of corporate governance;

(c) to promote public awareness about corporate governance principles and practices;

(d) to, on behalf of Council, act as the national coordinating body responsible for all matters pertaining to corporate governance;

(e) to promote sound financial reporting and accountability based on true and fair financial statements duly audited by competent independent Auditors;

(f) to encourage sound systems of internal control to safeguard stakeholders’ investment and assets of public interest entities; and

(g) to ensure that audit Committees of public interest entities keep under review the scope of the audit and its cost effectiveness, the independence and objectivity of the Auditors.

With full fledged directorates , the mission and vision to implement modest , modern and full time online program that concerned financial reporting in line with the domestic and international standards will be achieved.

Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.