By Stanley Onyekwere
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) through the instrumentality of its Department of Development Control yesterday carried out a demolition exercise, to reclaim over 100 hectares of land in Gosa District, of Abuja.
It was gathered that the reclaimed land, allocated to a corporate entity for housing estates, was illegally fenced off by encroachers. Galadima assured that all illegal fences would be removed to prevent further encroachment.
Speaking during the exercise, the Director of the Department, Mukhtar Galadima, disclosed that its collaboration with EFCC, ICPC, and the Nigerian police to apprehend perpetrators involved in illegal land grabbing activities.
Galadima noted that the importance of eliminating land grabbing cases to prevent unsuspecting Nigerians from purchasing properties acquired through deceitful means.
Also, he reiterated the FCTA’s commitment to addressing such incidents, referencing similar actions taken near the train station last year.
He therefore urged prospective land buyers to conduct due diligence by verifying land allocations with relevant government agencies, including the Department of Lands Administration, Development Control, and Urban and Regional Planning.
Furthermore, Galadima outlined ongoing efforts to monitor the environment regularly, with particular attention to Gosa District’s development designated by Urban and Regional Planning.
On his part, Secretary of FCTA Command and Control Centre, Dr. Peter Olumuji berated land grabbers’ criminal activities, including falsification of documents and violent confrontations with authorities.
He affirmed that the eight perpetrators arrested during the operation would face legal consequences.
Not left out, a private developer, Hamza Adamu, CEO of Ivory Shelters Nigerian Limited, opined that the land was allocated for mixed-use development, including commercial and residential purposes.
Adamu assured ongoing infrastructure development and security measures, emphasizing affordability and client protection.
He also denounced illegal occupants as land grabbers and reassured buyers of property within the allocated land’s safety.
He projected a five-year completion timeline for the project, aiming to create a low-cost estate accessible to all.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
