Connect with us

Metro

Wike Inaugurates Task Force on Issuance of C of O, Land use Contravention

Published

on

Share

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has inaugurated a Task Force on the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for mass housing and the recovery of land use contravention fees.

Wike explained while inaugurating the task force in Abuja on Tuesday that the measure was to ensure that each of the houses in mass housing estates has its own C of O and pay for it.

He lamented that virtually all the residential areas have been turned to commercial, adding, “something must be done about it.

He said that those who contravened the Land Use Act must be recertified and pay the appropriate penalties.

Wike explained that those given approval for residential buildings have converted to commercial structures, while those given for commercial also contravene by building residential houses.

“So, there must be a recertification and there must be penalties.

“The only way people can be deterred from doing this is to make sure that we discourage them and discouraging them means that if you want to build, you have a penalty to pay, and that penalty must be severe.

“In as much as we want to generate revenue, we also want to control the development of areas.

“Abuja has to go back to the original Master Plan. If there is need to have some amendment, it is the government that will do such amendment, it is not for the allottees to do so on their own,” he said.

The minister said that government agencies in charge of land administration in the FCT were part of the problem, adding that the agencies were included in the task force to solve the problem they created.

He said: “Part of the problem we are having is the agencies: development control is part of the problem; the land registry is part of the problem; Abuja Geographic Information System AGIS is part of the problem.

“That is why they are part of the task force to face the problem they have caused and solve the problem. No outsider will do it.

“So, you must be diligent. Of course, you know, I will monitor what you are doing, and this assignment will not last more than one month from today.

“Whatever fund you require, let us know, Zenith bank will provide you the fund, but I must approve the fund.

“You write to me, and I will tell Zenith Bank what I need.*

Wike directed the task force to open two dedicated bank accounts for the assignment, saying, “one for non-compliance with the land use act and the other for the C of O.”

He also asked the task force to include people who were given land by the Area Councils but without C of O, adding that those concerned should be asked to apply and be informed about the amount to pay.

Wike explained that Abuja depended on Internally Generated Revenue to execute projects in the FCT.

“I am not interested in who did not comply and I don’t want anybody to write to me that the task force came. All I need is results. I don’t want excuses,” he added.

Reports says that the committee would be chaired by Mr Michael Chinda, Senior Special Assistant to Wike on Lands, Urban and Regional Planning.

The Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, Mr Shehu Ahmad, would serve as the secretary.

Other members of the taskforce include the Director, Department of Development Control, Director, Department of Land Administration and the Director, Department of Surveying and Mapping.

Others are the Director, Department of Mass Housing, Director of AGIS, and Director, Department of Urban and Regional Planning.

Also included are two estate surveyors, Dr Emmanuel Mark and Mr Emma Okas.

Responding on behalf of the members, Chinda expressed the readiness of the task force team to get to work and promised not to disappoint the minister.

The chairman further promised to deliver on the task within a month.

He described C of O as an “indispensable requirement” for land ownership, adding that the land belongs to the government and the people using it must pay.

“We will not spare anyone that has contravene and we will do the needful

“I can assure you that we will do this job with precision, diligence and a high level of professionalism so that we will meet your expectation and possibly exceed.” (NAN)

Metro

FG Reaffirms Commitment to Providing Enabling Environment for Migrants

Published

on

Share

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to providing enabling environments and adequate protection for migrants in the country.

Mr  Tijjani Ahmed, the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCRMI), said this at the International Migrants Day in Abuja on Wednesday.

Report says that the theme of the celebration was  “Beyond Borders: Celebrating Migrants’ Legacy, Protecting their Rights.

The Commission organised a walk in commemoration of the day to sensitise Nigerians of the danger of not following the right path when leaving the country.

Ahmed highlighted the invaluable contribution of migrants to Nigeria’s development, including remittances exceeding 23 billion dollars annually,  and advancements in technology and agriculture.

He said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was committed to creating a secure and supportive environment for migrants while enhancing migration governance.

“We are here today to celebrate the migrants for their technological transfer.

“We celebrate migrants because of their contributions towards the development of this country.

“We also celebrate them today in order to inform them that the Nigerian government and the people of Nigeria are there for them.

“We do not forget the contribution of our migrants in the diaspora towards the development of Nigeria,” he said.

Ahmed emphasised Nigeria’s readiness to lead migration governance globally through the “Rabat Process” in 2025, showcasing its dedication to migration management and human rights.

“Nigeria is preparing  to take over the leadership of the rubber process by 2025.

“We are asking everyone within and outside this country to support Nigeria to succeed in the governance of migration internationally.

“We have at least 10,000 migrants in Nigeria and over 20,000 outside the country that are contributing towards the development of  the country, ” he said.  (NAN)

Continue Reading

Metro

FCT Civil Service Commission Begins Regularisation of FCTA Staff Appointments

Published

on

Share

The Federal Capital Territory Civil Service Commission has begun the regularisation of staff appointments in the FCT Administration and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

The Head of the Civilo Service, Dr Udo Atang, said at the commencement of the exercise in Abuja on Wednesday, that the move was to ensure accurate data of all staff.

Atang described the regularisation as a “critical” exercise, which forms the bedrock of the new FCT Civil Service Commission (CSC).

He pointed out that all the staff were holding letters of appointments from various agencies, departments, area councils, and the defunct Ministry of FCT and FCDA among others.

The holders of these letters, he said, have been raising issues of discrimination based on letters of appointment.

According to him, the exercise and the gazette by the commission that will come thereafter, will give all staff a sense of identity.

“The essence of this regularisation is to ensure that staff are properly documented.

“You will now have letters that will now qualify you as a bonafide staff of the FCT Civil Service Commission.”

The head of service, who appealed for full cooperation of the workers, directed that a list of all staff on course, study leave, leave of absence and other related permissions be compiled and submitted.

He added that the list should be compiled with grade level, designation and record of service, including approvals.

Atang commended the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, for his doggedness and commitment in implementing the provisions of the FCT CSC Act, 2018.

Noting Wike’s support and love for the FCT workers, the head of service urged the workers to reciprocate the minister’s uncommon gesture, by being dedicated and committed to their respective duties.

Also speaking, the Chairman, FCT CSC, Mr Emeka Ezeh, stressed that part of the responsibilities of the commission was in the appointment, promotion and discipline of all FCTA and FCDA workers.

Ezeh also stressed the need for the workers to be more committed in the discharge of their responsibilities. (NAN)

Continue Reading

Metro

Jos School Collapse: CWON Holds Trauma Healing Session for Parents, Survivors

Published

on

Share

From Jude Dangwam, Jos

The Catholic Women Organization of Nigeria (CWON) has organized a trauma healing session for survivors of the Jos Saint Academy School collapse alongside parents who lost their children in the unfortunate incident.The National President of the organization, Dame Mary Gonzum noted that the effort was part of their psychosocial support and counseling services for victims of the school building collapse as a follow-up to the assessment of the condition of the victims during their visit.

Gonzum speaking during a one day trauma session held at the Secretariat of the Justice Development and Peace/Caritas Commission (JDPC) of the Catholic Archdiocese located along Zaria Road in Jos the Plateau State capital said the trauma healing session was in continuation of their intervention to students who experienced the building collapsed.
”Today, a trauma healing session was flagged off with a seminar on how to go about handling the trauma that victims of the Saint Academy School Busa Buji in Jos are passing through.”We will later select those that are so traumatic and need help to continue with the process of healing because it is not something that will end in a day or two but will need sometime.”The surviving students who experienced the building collapsed, parents of the students are all here because some parents are so traumatic, we have one other woman that lost two children”This trauma became necessary because when we went visiting in the hospitals, we observed that some of them are really traumatic. Like the other boy, his mother said up till today he kept telling his mother that he is seeing dead bodies, and anybody he sees he will say is his classmate.”Some of the affected parents while sharing their encounters after the incident said they hardly sleep in the day or night time. Some manage to sleep for two hours and they’re awake, and from the little lectures we received today it is clear that there is a problem,” She noted.The President calls on the government to ensure that those saddled with the responsibility of approving, inspecting and supervising structures are meant to do their job with all diligence to avert future happenings again.Some of the affected parents including; Hasana Suleman Sale who lost two of her children recalled with pains the unfortunate development that claimed the lives of her two children. She expressed gratitude for the trauma healing session which she said came as a means of consolation and strength for her to overcome the trauma she is passing through.

Continue Reading

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

Uncategorized12 hours ago

Fury Fails in Revenge Mission Against Usyk

Share Tyson Fury’s mission to avenge his only professional defeat ended in crushing disappointment Saturday evening as he lost on...

NEWS12 hours ago

Abuja Stampede: Wike Directs Free Treatment for Victims

Share Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike has directed government hospitals to provide free treatment to the people that...

NEWS1 day ago

NDA Records Successes in Military Training, Academics in 2024

ShareThe Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), says it has recorded a lot of successes in military training and academic activities in...

NEWS1 day ago

Corps Member Donates Delivery Kits to Pregnant Women in Katsina

ShareA Corps member serving in Katsina State, Blessing Ene-Ameh, has distributed free delivery kits to 50 pregnant women in Mani...

NEWS2 days ago

FUSHO Ag VC Promises Collaboration with Lydia Memorial Hospital

ShareBy David Torough, Abuja The Acting Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), Prof. Stephen Abah...

Uncategorized3 days ago

PenCom Issues Over 38,000 Pension Clearance Certificates – D-G

Share The National Pension Commission (PenCom) on Thursday said it had issued over 38,000 Pension Clearance Certificates (PCC) so far...

NEWS3 days ago

Bill to Rename Benue Varsity Passes Second Reading

ShareThe bill to rename the Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, after the second civilian governor of the state, Rev. Fr...

NEWS3 days ago

Benue Assembly Summons Former Special Adviser on Missing N1.78bn

Share The Benue House of Assembly presided over by its Speaker, Hyacinth Dajo has summoned the former special adviser to...

NEWS3 days ago

Buhari Once Rejected Land Offer During His Tenure- Garba Shehu

Share Former President Muhammadu Buhari once rejected an offer of land in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during his tenure....

NEWS3 days ago

2024: Adamawa Police Arrest 715 Suspects 

Share The Adamawa Police Command has in 1 year operations arrested 715 suspected criminals, who were indicted in violent crimes...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc