FCTA says it’ll prosecute land racketeers

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has vowed to prosecute anyone caught selling unauthorised lands within the territory to unsuspecting Nigerians.

The Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Council (AMMC), Malam Umar Shuaibu, made this known while addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that the council frowns at situations where those given temporary allocation sell the lands, especially, green areas.

He explained that areas reserved for future infrastructure such as road and transit ways should never be sold by unauthorised persons.

According to him, some people are given allocation on temporary basis because there are some areas that are reserved for future infrastructure.

” Some people see these areas as if they are vacant and we have forgotten about them. No, that’s not the case. We are reserving these areas because in the future, we are going to have transit ways, railway corridors, expressway and arterial road in all these places.

” The plan of Abuja is not yet concluded. There are so many roads that are not yet on the ground. So the reservations are there.

” What we do in order to engage people is that we give people on a temporary basis so that they can beautify this areas rather than allow it to become bushes but unfortunately, they are misusing this opportunity.

”Some of them constitute some sort of cartel, sharing this land and selling it as if they own it.

”We’re gathering evidences, and anybody that we catch must definitely be prosecuted on this matter, according to our extant rules and regulations.

”They are illegal activities. You don’t have right to sell this type of property. They are government properties and that is why park and recreation is now the custodian of this parks. It’s not for any commercial activities, but for beautification.”

He disclosed that the department of Parks and Recreation in the FCT had been mandated to take possession of such land, secure them and ensure the development of the city’s Green Areas.

Shuaibu said that the FCT Administration had agreed to partner stakeholders to improve the aesthetics of the Abuja Airport expressway by landscaping.

The stakeholders are also to maintain the frontage of their properties to compliment the major gateway to the Federal Capital city.

“I am please to inform you all that today we are fully ready for the ground breaking ceremony and inauguration of the landscaping and beautification of the Umar Musa Yar’adua Express Way through to Bill Clinton Drive scheduled to hold on the 22nd of March, 2022 at River Park Estate.

“Furthermore, the Council in collaboration with the Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage (DOAS) have given the Stakeholders a go ahead to place signage on their frontage after carrying out the exercise.

” This signage is to be placed in conformity with the set guidelines by DOAS.”

He solicited media support in educating the public especially property owners along the Umaru Musa Yar’adua Express Way through to Bill Clinton Drive, that the AMMC is embarking on an intensive clean –up of the Abuja Airport Express Way.

“Therefore, all street hawkers, beggars, commercial sex workers, unapproved parks, gas sellers, kiosks, artisans, motor spare part dealers, car marts, Okada riders, and other related artisans are warned to stay off the Airport Express Way.

” Or risk being arrested and prosecuted under the relevant sections of the Laws of the Federation.”

He said that the Senior Special Assistant on Enforcement to the Minister of FCT has been assigned to remove all the existing nuisance and encumbrances along the Airport Road starting from Wednesday.

This, according to him, will enable stakeholders carry out the exercise without any hinge or obstacle. (NAN)