By Philip Yatai
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) reminded landowners of its two-year ultimatum to develop or lose allocated land.
Mr Obinna Nkwocha, overseeing Director of the Department of Monitoring and Inspection, FCTA, reminded the audience in Abuja on Wednesday during an inspection of abandoned buildings within the capital city.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FCT had recently announced a land reform that gave land owners two years to develop allocated land or face revocation.
Nkwocha pointed out the security threats posed by abandoned buildings during a routine monitoring exercise in Maitama, Central Area, and Jabi.
He reminded developers of the two-year ultimatum to build allocated land as contained in their Building Plan Approval.
According to him, abandoned buildings litter Abuja city and serve as a sanctuary for criminals.
“These abandoned buildings serve as hideouts for hoodlums and can collapse due to years of decay. Therefore, I advised developers with relevant approvals to move back to the site in their own interest,” he said.
He attributed the development partly to a lack of proper costing and due diligence to prevent litigation.
The Director advised residents to be their brother’s keepers by reporting any abandoned buildings that pose a security threat in their area for prompt action.
He said that the Nyesom Wike-led FCT Administration was doing a lot in terms of infrastructure development in the FCT, adding that residents and developers should support such efforts.
