Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Barr Nyesom Wike, has inaugurated a Task Force on the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for mass housing and the recovery of land use contravention fees.
Wike, while inaugurating the task force in Abuja, Tuesday, disclosed that the measure was to ensure each of the houses in mass housing estates has its own C of O and pay for it.
He lamented that virtually all residential areas have been turned to commercial, adding that something must be done about it.
He explained that those given approval for residential buildings have converted to commercial structures, while those given for commercial also contravene by building residential houses.
The minister said government agencies in charge of land administration in the FCT were part of the problem, adding that the agencies were included in the task force to solve the problem they created.
He said: “Part of the problem we are having is the agencies: development control is part of the problem; the land registry is part of the problem; Abuja Geographic Information System AGIS is part of the problem.
“That is why they are part of the task force to face the problem they have caused and solve the problem. No outsider will do it.
“So, you must be diligent. Of course, you know, I will monitor what you are doing, and this assignment will not last more than one month from today.
“Whatever fund you require, let us know, Zenith Bank will provide you the fund, but I must approve the fund.”
The committee, which would be chaired by Mr Michael Chinda, Senior Special Assistant to Wike on Lands, Urban and Regional Planning, has the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, Mr Shehu Ahmad, as secretary.
