Senate Vows to Probe Ex-FCT Ministers Over Abuja Land Grab

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Wednesday, February 10th, 2016

Ayodele Afolabi, Abuja

ABUJA, NIGERIA (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory, FCT on Wednesday vowed to commence probe of former Ministers of FCT for allegedly violating the masterplan of the nation’s capital.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Dino Melaye (APC Kogi West) stated this while briefing newsmen on the reaction of the immediate past FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed over the committee’s resolution on the allocation of Maitama Hills and Mississippi Street in Abuja.

Former ministers who were in office since 1999, expected to be probed by the Senate committee are Ibrahim Bunu, Mohammed Abba Gana, Nasir El-Rufai, Aliyu Moddibo, Adamu Aliero and Bala Mohammed.

According to Melaye,” despite Senator Bala Mohammed’s defence to justify his acclaimed under-utilisation of existing infrastructure, the entire allocation along Mississippi Street is an eyesore”.

“The five must important actors in land matters in FCT (directors of land administration, including their executive secretary, Engr. Ismaila Adams), affirmed to that.

“The consequence of this if allowed, is flooding, epidemic, overcrowding, erosion, because all trees have been removed from all plots allocated”, he said.

“Permit me to remind FCT administration again, by stating that this committee will not hesitate to ensure that all administrative anomalies, misappropriation of funds or misapplication of laws as the case may be, that were occasioned by the past administrations of FCT, are fully addressed. This is what justice demands in this circumstances; to right the wrongs”, he stressed.

Melaye, while condemning the bastardization of Abuja Masterplan, wondered why former FCT ministers allocated green areas‎ designed for flood drains, city buffers, recreations, urban farming, reserved land and undevelopable areas.

He added that the committee is worried and frowns at satanic and misleading advice and recommendation to convert very important and beautiful natural endowments or features which are very scanty like the world acclaimed Maitama Hills, popularly known as Ministers’ Hills, which could serve as a tourist attraction to the residents of FCT.

“I want to state here again that if the bourgeois of this country need a special allocation, a new district can be dedicated to them and not destroy the beauty of the city centre, a national monument like the Maitama Hills.

“Therefore, the committee’s decision on these allocations remain unwavering. A stop-work order must be served by the Department of Development Control and all trees removed must be replaced. The committee demands that 100 per cent of its instructions must be adhered to”, he vowed.

The committee chairman maintained that “the resolutions of the National Assembly are not mere statements, but arrest powerful and have constitutional backing”, adding that “this is a government of change, and this is the most proper period to right all administrative wrongs championed by the past administrations”.