FCT Minister Suspends Land Allocations

Juliana Taiwo

Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, has suspended further allocation due to what he described as gross abuse of delegated authorities, deficiencies and misuse of public thrust in recent allocation of land for residential, commercial and mass housing processes.
Addressing newsmen yesterday, the minister also hinted that land allocation between 2007 to date will be probed even as he added that the move does not translate to revocations.
He noted that all allocations and Development Control approvals made in line with due process would be sustained.
Mohammed also stressed that all forms of transactions, payments and transfers in respect of plots allocated from January 2007 to date, including Development Control approvals will also be suspended pending conclusion of the probe.
The minister further stressed that there were files scams in Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) and Land Department where some land speculators have been able to break through the electronic system with active connivance of AGIS staff to duplicate genuine allocations and obtain CofO ahead genuine applicants.
"The general public is advised to refrain from open-market land transactions pending further announcement on this matter" he said.
The obvioiusly disappointed minister lamented that some officials of the FCT administration have exploited certain loopholes in the billing system to defraud government of millions of naira , "There is the bank draft payment scam in the  AGIS Bala disclosed that this became necessary following the briefs he has received since he assumed office noting that there have confirmed the widespread criticisms and petitions from the general public about the land allocation processes in the FCT adding, "the briefs have also revealed that the problems associated with land administration in the FCT are enormous,” he said.