By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Department of Development Control of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Thursday, reiterated commitment in its fight against activities of land grabbers in the city, with removal of illegal structures in Sabo Lugbe area of Abuja.

To this end, FCTA officials accompanied by joint security personnel stormed and removed about 10 buildings, mostly duplexes and bungalows at their different stages of completion in  today at Sabon Lugbe Southwest area, which is part of the phase five district of the Federal Capital City (FCC), for development without approvals from relevant authorities on Thursday.

Director, Department of Development Control, FCT Administration, Mukhtar Galadima explained that this was in continuation of its reinvigorated enforcement exercise targeted at mitigating land use contraventions especially in notorious land grabbing spots in Lugbe, Idu Train Station which is now part of Gosa and Kyami, Apo Tarfi respectively.

Galadima recalled that sometimes back, there was caution over the issue of land grabbing, during which the government warned that it was going to bounce on land grabbers, so that to make sure that all the structures that are close to 50 structures (duplexes and bungalows) will be brought down.

According to him, “We are here for a removal exercise today at Sabon Lugbe Southwest area, which is part of the phase five district of the Federal Capital City (FCC). We just started with just about 10 structures, but tomorrow we are coming back in full swing

“And recall that sometimes back we warned that we are going to bounce on land grabbers. So this is in continuation of the enforcement exercise, which had started.

“We want to inform the general public that for any person to buy any property in Abuja, please  ensure that  it is rightly titled property with approved development plan, but failing to do so, you could fall into the hands of these land grabbers, and please don’t blame the FCTA.

“There are areas where these land grabbers are really having their feed day. They Idu Train Station, which is now part of Gosa and Kyami, Apo Tarfi area and Lugbe. And today we are in Lugbe, and we will continue as it is a continuous exercise. So, illegal developments will not be entertained.

“The people that are deceiving them that they are going to be integrated into the phase 5 of the FCC   should be warned and bewared. There is nothing like integration. Illegality is illegality, and we will continue to remove them.”

On when the design and upgrading of the new phase 5 of the FCC into the Abuja Masterplan will be ready for use, the Director said: “I think the FCT Urban and Regional Planning is working hard on that.”

Niger Government has established the state Price Control and Monitoring Board, approved by Gov. Umaru Bago to ensure fair pricing and consumer protection.

Alh. Abubakar Usman, Secretary to the Niger Government (SSG),  inaugurated members of the board on Thursday in Minna.

The eight-member board has Alh.

Usman noted that the inauguration of the board marked a significant step in the state’s commitment to ensuring fair pricing and consumer protection.

He said that the board was expected to control and stabilise prices of essential commodities and eradicate or reduce to the barest minimum, hoarding of essential commodities across the state.

He said that board would also handle issues that may arise as a result of enforcement and penalty for contravention of guidelines among several others.

“The board will be responsible for the distribution, monitoring and evaluation of essential commodities and keep price under continuous surveillance.

“They will also interpret price movement and relate them to other development in the State’s economy,” Usman said.

He said the board was expected to interface with relevant stakeholders such as local government chairmen, traditional institutions and councilors and well as market organisations to ensure the success of their mandate.

The SSG enjoined members of board to bring their wealth of experience and expertise in economics, consumer affairs and market dynamics to bear in their assignment.

He said that their appointment underscored the government’s dedication to maintaining economic stability and safeguarding the interests of both consumers and businesses in the state.

In his remarks, the board chairman, Ahmed, assured that the board would interface with relevant stakeholders within and outside the state in order to bring succour to the populace.

Other members of the board include Hamza Bello, Permanent Secretary, Investment, Aliyu Abubakar, Permanent Secretary, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Garba Abdullahi, from Ministry of Basic Education.

Also on the board are Adamu Maikasuwa, Ministry of Agriculture, DCP Aminu Garba, Nigeria Police, Niger Command, Aminu Ladan, Chairman, Chanchaga Local Government Area and Usman Liman, retired Statistician-General as Secretary of the Board. (NAN)

The Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), has shared N1.298 trillion among the Federal Government, states, and the Local Government Councils (LGCs) for September.

This is according to a communique issued at the end of FAAC meeting for October held on Thursday in Abuja.

The communiqué was made available to newsmen by Bawa Mokwa, the Director, Press and Public Relations, Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (OAGF).

According to the communiqué, N1.

It also comprised Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N18.

It said that a total revenue of N2.258 trillion was available in the month of September.

“Total deduction for cost of collection was N80.993 billion, while total transfers, interventions and refunds was N878.946 billion,” it said.

According to the communiqué, gross statutory revenue of N1.043 trillion was received in September 2024, which was lower than the sum of N1.221 trillion received in August by N177.426 billion.

It said that gross revenue of N583.675 billion was available from VAT in September, higher than the N573.341 billion available in the month of August by N10.334 billion.

“From the N1.298 trillion total distributable revenue, the Federal Government received a total sum of N424.867 billion, and the state governments received a total sum of N453.724 billion.

“The LGCs received a total sum of N329.864 billion and a total sum of N90.415 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue,” it said.

On the N124.716 billion statutory revenue, the communiqué said that the Federal Government received N43.037 billion and the state governments received N21.829 billion, while the LGCs received N16.829 billion.

It said that the sum of N43.021 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue.

“From the N543.518 billion VAT revenue, the Federal Government received N81.528 billion, the state governments received N271.759 billion and the LGCs received N190.231 billion,” it said.

It said that in September, Oil and Gas Royalty, Excise Duty, EMTL and CET Levies increased considerably while VAT and Import Duty increased marginally.

It added that Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Companies Income Tax (CIT) and others recorded significant decreases. (NAN)