By Remi Johnson
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed his determination to end the activities of land speculators and speculations in Abuja.
Wike who made this declaration during an inspection tour of ongoing roads and bus terminal projects in Abuja, pledging to enforce all legal measures necessary to curb the practice.
He maintained that the recent land reform policies introduced under his administration subsists,insisting that no amount of complains will make the FCT Administration to reverse it.
The minister condemned the actions of land speculators who acquire land allocations and hold onto them for years without initiating any development.
“We are trying to stop land speculators. Someone who gets land in Abuja and cannot develop it within two years is simply engaging in land speculation.
“Secondly, if you have been given allocation, you should be able to pay within 21 days to obtain your Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O). What is wrong with that? It also helps the government generate revenue.
“Many people hold on to the Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) for four years, waiting for a buyer before they take further action. We will not allow that anymore. Anyone can say what they like, but we are stopping this issue of land speculation.
“Why wouldn’t you develop land within two years? It’s not proper. You cannot apply for land and then not have the money to pay for the C-of-O. It doesn’t make sense. Twenty-one days is enough.” Wike noted
While inspecting one of the bus terminal project sites in the Mabushi District, the minister also expressed displeasure over the quality of the interior finishing of the structure. He directed the contractor to immediately rectify the defects identified before the month of May ending.
“We want to invite the President to inaugurate this Bus Terminal. On a broader scale, we are on schedule and happy with the progress, but the finishing of structures like this is very important. I pointed out areas that must be corrected.
“But I have instructed the Secretary of Transport that a lot still needs to be done. I am not satisfied with the finishing because that’s key. The contractor must return and fix the issues.” Wike insisted.
The project sites visited included the 15-kilometre Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) connecting Apo and Wasa Districts, the Mabushi Bus Terminal, and the Arterial Road N20 (Wole Soyinka Way) and its interchanges linking Jahi to the Kubwa/Zuba expressway and Jabi/Utako Districts.