FCTA to transform department of development control to agency

The FCT Administration says it has embarked on measures to transformation the

Department of Development Control to an agency.

The Director of the department, Mr. Yahaya Yusuf, announced this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

Yusuf said the transformation of the department, now under the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), would provide the needed capacity for the growth of the territory.

“If transformed into an agency, it will become more efficient and it will apply the measured speed in its operations to remove any bottlenecks in its operations.

“The FCTA is fast tracking the process and in the shortest possible time, the objective would be realised,’’ he said.

The Director also said that the FCTA had already set up an agency to re-certify land allocations that were duly approved by the six area councils, to legalise them.

“For a resident to have an approved plan there has to be a genuine title and the only acceptable title is the Certificate of Occupancy signed by the FCT Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed.

“The administration has, however, set up the Area Councils Title Renewal and Re-certification System (ACTRIS).

“The ACTRIS has the mandate of reconciling titles that were given by the area councils while granting re-certification to those that are genuine,’’ he said.

He advised Abuja residents to continue to cooperate with the department in its task of maintaining the city’s master plan. “The FCT is growing fast and if development is not effectively regulated, you will see slums developing everywhere.

“People should take cognizance of the fact that there is a master plan which has to be maintained in the interest of all residents. “We are a development assisting department and if residents cooperate with us, there will be minimal complains about demolition or removal of structures,’’ he said. (NAN)