FCT Minister Wike expands scope, extends deadline for task force on land matters, adds land swap, sale of government houses to terms of reference

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

FCT Minister Wike

By Anthony Maliki, Abuja

The FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike has expanded the scope of work of the Taskforce on issue of C of O, Mass Housing and Area Councils to include Land Swap and sale of government houses.

In the same vein, the Minister has extended the work period of the taskforce and submission of its report from one month to two months to accommodate the new task, explaining that there was no need for a separate taskforce as the existing one could carry out the addition duty.

This was contained in a statement to Apex News Exclusive by Anthony Ogunleye Director of Press in the office of the FCT Minister.

In a brief meeting held at the Minister’s conference room on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, Barr. Wike said the expansion of the taskforce was necessitated by concerns raised on the FCTA Land swap and the sale of government houses projects, adding that the move was part plans for a total cleanup of the FCTA.

He said: “We have had a lot of complains and we want to know details of the Land Swap and then the sale of federal government houses. There are so many complaints. There some houses that were built that have been abandoned. What is the position? Let us get the true documentation of the houses that are sold and the receipt of payment. Which have not been sold and which are being built but not completed, that are abandoned and are under the FCTA through the FCDA.

“This is important in order for us to have a total clean up. They are going to do it together. You function will extend to this area of land swap. Look at the areas where government and other people have had an agreement on land swap, look at the agreement, how favourable it is and make your recommendations and also the sale of government houses under the FCDA”.

The Minister said though the job is tasking, which was why he extended the time by one month, he expects the taskforce to do a good job and produce a good result.

He urged all the agencies involved, especially Abuja Geographic Information Systems AGIS, Development Control and the Department of Lands, who are also members, to work together with the taskforce to ensure the success of the assignment while also enjoining the taskforce to involve private valuers to expediate its work.

Present at the meeting were the Executive Secretary, FCDA and other senior officials of the FCTA and members of the taskforce.