Gov’t moves to tackle encroachment on public spaces in Games Village

By Stanley Onyekwere

The FCT Administration has reiterated commitment to resolving all the knotty issues surrounding land allocation in the FCT, in order to put an end to injustice and impunity in land administration in the Territory.
Making this point, Minister Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, disclosed that the FCT Administration has set machinery in motion for the quick dispensation of justice on all land appeals and petitions in Abuja, which he said has been yielding positive results.
Bello made the disclosure during an on-the-spot assessment tour of sites and service facilities at the FCT Games Village, following a petition by the residents over the encroachment on public spaces by private housing developers.
On the visit to see things for himself, the Minister assured that the observations made at the Games Village would be promptly investigated in order to address the concerns of the residents.
Bello decried the unwholesome activities of land grabbers in the FCT whom, he said, were distorting the Abuja master-plan in a bid to satisfy selfish interests.
He therefore warned those involved in the menace to desist from such activities or be made to face the full weight of the law.
It would be recalled that the Association of Games Village Estate residents had petitioned the FCT Administration over the activities of land grabbers who bulldozed their way and erected private houses on spaces reserved for public facilities at the FCT Games Village.
The residents who were elated by the Minister’s prompt visit, said it demonstrated his sensitivity to the issue and the desire to make things right.
Responding, Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Games Village, Alhaji Abdullahi Yahaya, in his reaction, said, “We are most grateful for the Honourable Minister’s attention and we hope everything will be okay as he has taken up our matter now and under his tenure, we believe the estate will be better”.
Another resident, Chief Mike Obienyi, however appreciated the FCT Minister for the great job he has done in the area of security in the FCT, including the lightening of dark areas that were considered as major security flash points.
He said, “The FCT Minister has done a great work and I congratulate him. I urge him to keep it up. Now we can sleep with our two eyes closed”.