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Tag: FCDA

  • Reps issue arrest warrant on 3 FCDA officials

    Reps issue arrest warrant on 3 FCDA officials

    The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has issued a warrant of arrest on the Executive Secretary of Federal Capital Development Authority (FCTA), Mr Richard Dauda, over alleged breach of building code in the territory.

    The committee also called for the arrest of Director, Department of Development Control (FCTA), Mr Muktar Galadima, and the Director of Regional Planning of FCT.

    Chairman of the committee, Rep. Mike Etaba (APC- Cross River), issued the warrant after the committee inspected a building located at Plot AO9399, Cadastral Zone, Guzape, following a petition filed Rep. Leke Abejide (ADC-Kogi).

    Etaba said that the parliament was left with no option than to issue the warrant after the FCDA officials had deliberately shunned the committee’s summon on Tuesday and Thursday.

    According to him, the warrant is in tandem with the extant provisions of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act, 2017.

    “We had a petition that was brought before us by a Nigerian citizen in the course of investigation.

    “FCDA has refused to come and tender documents necessary for us to proceed with this investigation. But for today, we have come to the site which the petition is referring to.

    “We have looked at the building plans and the engineer in site who we met, known as Mr Emmanuel, told the committee that there is no approved building plan with him at the moment.

    “We have looked at the structure, the landmark, the cantilever that the complainant, who is a Nigerian that has a right to his security and safety, referred to.

    “We have looked at it and we will go back to the committee and ask for more documents, most especially the approved plan, so that FCDA will be able to explain to us the guidelines they gave for this building.

    “This will help in determining what is actually good for this site and allow the Nigerians living around here have their peace.

    “We are here to do justice to everybody,” he said.

    The chairman said that the FCDA officials would be compelled to produce documents required to ascertain the veracity of the claims of the petitioner

    Also speaking, counsel to petitioner, Mr Samuel Ajayi, explained that the petition before the committee was in respect of the development on a property at AO9399, Cadestral zone, allegedly contravening the building code of the FCT.

    “We have a complaint in respect of a building going on in Guzape, which trespassed into the rights of my client.

    “We are urging the appropriate authority to take appropriate step address the issue,” he said.

    The committee, therefore, directed the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Kayode Egbetekun, to ensure the arrest of the officials.

    It stated further that Egbetokun should compel them to appear before it on March 28 to explain their roles in the committal of the alleged infraction.

  • Man who supported demolition of properties in Lagos, cries out as FCDA demolishes his poultry farm

    Man who supported demolition of properties in Lagos, cries out as FCDA demolishes his poultry farm

    An Abuja-based poultry farmer, Henrich Bankole who hailed the Lagos State government for demolishing illegal structures blocking water channels, has cried out in pain after the Federal Capital Development Authority – Builders of Abuja (FCDA) demolished his poultry farm in Abuja.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Bankole via his X handle on Sunday cried out after some officials in Abuja stormed his farm and destroyed it ‘’without any prior notice”.

    According to him, his farm worth N150 million was destroyed with 5000 birds killed and 50 persons rendered unemployed.

    His tweet reads: “I am heartbroken and angry, yesterday, my N150 MILLION investmment in a poultry farm located in Lokogoma, Abuja was destroyed by the guys from the Federal Capital Davelopment Authority (FCDA) No warning , no prior notice, just pure destruction and over 5,000 birds are dead.”

    While some Nigerians express their sympathy, A Kaduna activist, Ndi  Kato ran a search and discovered that Bankole, in May had praised the Lagos state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunboh Wahab, for demolishing properties blocking water channels and causing flooding in the state.

    He wrote: “Tokunbo Wahab is doing a good job. If Lagos is flooded , we would blame him, if the demolition touches edgy spots. We would scream bllames, However, @followlasg has alot of work to do. Buildings should never be allowed to sprout on such channels before order is enforced.”

    See tweets below;

  • 74 directors bow out of FCTA, FCDA

    74 directors bow out of FCTA, FCDA

    No fewer than 74 Directors have bowed out of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), having clocked 60 years of age or 35 years in service.

    FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, stated this in Abuja on Sunday, at an event organised in their honour.

    Wike said that the FCT Administration would continue to tap from their experience and expertise to accelerate growth and development in the federal capital, Abuja.

    Represented by the acting Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Udom Atang, the minister expressed optimism that the wealth of experience of the retirees would be of great value to the administration.

    He said that the batch of the retirees were among the earliest staff of the FCTA and FCDA, and, therefore, played crucial roles in building Abuja from the scratch to its current state.

    He said that because of their institutional knowledge and experience, the FCTA would be reaching out to them for in-house training to coach and mentor the younger ones.

    According to him, nobody can do it better than those “who have been here before.”

    The minister restated the FCTA’s commitment to improve welfare of staff under the “Renewed Hope” agenda of the current administration.

    Also speaking, the acting Director, Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, Dr Jumai Ahmadu, commended the retirees for dedicating a significant portion of their lives to public service.

    “These directors have exhibited exemplary leadership, dedication, and professionalism throughout their tenure, serving as beacons of integrity and commitment to the welfare and progress of the FCTA.

    “Their unwavering dedication has contributed to the advancement of our administrative processes, the implementation of crucial policies, and the successful execution of numerous projects that have transformed the landscape of the FCT,” Ahmadu said.

    Some of the retirees who spoke to journalists on the sideline of the event, encouraged those still in service to build on their achievements for accelerated growth and development of the territory.

    One of them, Dr. Matthew Ashikeni, urged those in service to focus more on adding value to the system, rather than what they can gain from it.

    Ashikeni, who retired as Director, Special Duties at the FCT Health and Environment Secretariat, also tasked the government to invest more in primary health care to attain universal health coverage.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 74 retirees bowed out of service in the third and fourth quarter of 2023.

  • FCDA land grabbers reportedly raid River Park Estate as residents ask FCT, Minister to intervene

    FCDA land grabbers reportedly raid River Park Estate as residents ask FCT, Minister to intervene

    The attention of the minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike has been drawn to the illegal land grabbers parading themselves as FCDA staff to take over lands from unsuspecting Abuja residents.

    The activities of the people are becoming embarrassing as they invaded CRD Lugbe 1 Layout to harass residents that they are coming to take over the lands with their fictitious notice which can not be traced to FCDA.

    The suspected criminals masquerading as staff of development control at CRD Lugbe 1 Layout stormed River Park Estate and upon being challenged by residents to identify themselves and found that they were fake because they could not provide any identification.

    Residents of CRD Lugbe layout woke up today (Thursday) to see some strange looking fellows serving them demolition notices purportly issued by Development Control.

    This were being done against the court order that there should be stay of execution pending the determination of the case.

    It would be recalled that the residents who have been running battle with Paul Odili , the so called owner of River Park Estate , Airport Road, the case is still pending therefore, FCDA which is party to the case can not come and give notice for the demolition.

    One of the residents, Alhaji Adamu Mohammed expressed concern that this ugly development, alleging that it is another attempt by Paul Odili to forcibly grab their lands in connivance with some faceless elements in the Fcda.

    The ownership of the disputed land has been the subject matter of several litigations with the courts ruling in favor of the residents.

    The residents expressed worried by the embarrassing behaviour of the so call owner of the estate, the residing judge took it upon himself to visit the disputed land ordering River Park to stop encroachment of the layout.

    Mr Odili, over the years, had ignored the court orders and constructed all sorts of fences and harassing residents.

    Some residents accosted the so-called officials of FCDA to identify themselves but they could not.

    Alhaji Adamu Mohammed maintained a close look at the demolition notice revealed that the signatories did not indicate their names and notices are not addressed properly.

    These discrepancies reinforce the belief of the residents that these fellows are mobilized by River Park Estate owner to do his bidding.

    This type of illegally should not be allowed in any democracy. The government should intervene in the matter with a view to calling Mr Odili to order, that he should wait for determination of the case.

    The residents used this medium to call on President Bola Tinubu to stop these faceless people destroying the good work of the FCT minister in maintaining Abuja master plan.

    The residents also advised general public to be wary of the land they are buying because Mr Odili had already sold the land in the estate to some personal legitimately and Court ruling attested to this fact.

    The residents of the estate however, urged the minister to intervene by calling some individual in the FCDA that were backing Mr Odili to order or at best set up a panel to investigate the matter before it degenerated to a public disorder.

    The residents stressed that it is time to expose the illegal activities of some of the development control staff, who work hand in hand with a private estate developer (paulo) to sabotage our lands. Because that is actually their main agenda. Its time the top authorities are called out for a permanent solution

  • ‘This is a big embarrasment’ – Wike slams FCDA officials

    ‘This is a big embarrasment’ – Wike slams FCDA officials

    Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Monday slammed officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) for their unprofessional conduct.

    Wike spoke angrily during the flag off ceremony of the rehabilitation of existing roads in the territory, saying he was embarrassed by the FCDA officials’ failure to properly arrange microphones at the event.

    The former Rivers governor, attributed the attitude of the officials of FCDA to the bad state of the nation’s capital, saying if they cannot properly “arrange ordinary microphones, how will FCT work”?

    The minister sternly warned those concerned that such “embarrassment” should not occur during his public function henceforth.

    He said, “Let me express my displeasure to FCDA, it is unfortunate and that is why FCT is where it is. If ordinary microphone you cannot arrange it to work? How will FCT work?

    “It is a shame that this is where we are at this level, and let me warn, all those who are concerned, this will be the last time I will appear in a public function and I get this embarrassment. If you don’t want to work, you leave.”

  • Cause of recurrent flood in Trademore estate revealed!

    Cause of recurrent flood in Trademore estate revealed!

    The Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) Shehu Ahmed, has announced that the FCT Administration will embark on a demolition campaign targeting all structures built on waterways in the nation’s capital.

    The move comes after the cause of the recent flooding in certain parts of the city was traced back to these obstructive structures.

    Ahmed revealed in a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, that Trademore Estate had not obtained the FCDA’s approved building plan, raising concerns about construction regulations and compliance.

    He emphasised that to prevent future similar incidents, there is a need to comply with the Abuja Master Plan and preserve floodplains as green areas rather than residential zones.

    According to Ahmed, these “illegal” structures have been impeding the natural flow of water, exacerbating the flooding problems experienced in certain areas.

    He stated, “People are clamouring that we act quickly and take tough decisions to save lives. And this is what we must do. We cannot act as though we don’t see this man-made problem caused by those who violate the Abuja Master Plan.”

    According to the Executive Secretary, Trademore Estate is one such areas in Abuja where buildings have repeatedly been marked for demolition.

    Despite multiple warnings issued over the years, residents have continued to risk their lives and the lives of others by remaining in the estate.

    The FCDA has now declared Trademore Estate a disaster zone, urging residents to evacuate immediately.

    The area, situated in a low-lying zone, is prone to flooding, which can occur at any time. Ahmed stressed, “They know this and have been experiencing it over the years.”

    The FCDA also plans to remove illegal structures built on floodplains in various other locations in the city, as part of a comprehensive flood mitigation strategy which will alleviate the risk of flooding and protect the lives and properties of residents in the affected areas.

    The FCT Administration says it is committed to implementing measures that safeguard the well-being of all residents in the nation’s capital and urged residents in affected areas to cooperate with evacuation efforts and prioritise their safety.

  • May Day: TUC protests as FCDA denies union use of Eagle Square

    May Day: TUC protests as FCDA denies union use of Eagle Square

    The Trade Union Congress (TUC), has protested the last minute order denying organised labour the use of Eagle Square as venue for the May 1, Workers Day rally.

    Mr Festus Osifoh, TUC President, made the union’s position known while addressing newsmen at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC), meeting which held on Friday night in Abuja.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), had also earlier, kicked against the order by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), denying labour unions the use of the venue for the May Day rally.

    Osifoh recalled that a letter was received from the Abuja Investment Company, a subsidiary of the FCDA, informing organised labour of the withdrawal of the permit granted it for holding the May Day rally in Abuja, on Monday.

    According to the TUC helmsman, the union rejects the last minute change of venue for the Workers’ Day rally.

    “One of the agencies under the FCTA communicated to us that the Eagles Square will not be available for our May Day parade on Monday.

    “But suffice to note that this is not the first time that we will be holding May Day parade at the Eagle Square, and swearing in would follow on May 29.

    “This has been taking place since 1999, and we have always had a way of carrying out our parade before they go ahead with their preparations for hand-over.

    “May 1, is four weeks away from the handing over date, but our government is telling us that political considerations are much more important than the issues of workers,” he said.

    Osifoh expressed disappointment with the Federal Government, for putting political considerations above workers’ interests and welfare, insisting that the congress believed that workers’ issues should be prioritised.

    According to him, the organised Labour rejects offers of other alternatives, saying; “they have asked us to go to the Old Parade Ground, and we are not going”.

    “If they are not giving us the place that we have been using for this event, then we will wait and at the appropriate time, we will answer them.

    Osifoh also said the congress condemned the alleged last minute move by the Federal Government to privatise institutions, including federal medical centres, NIPOST and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

    He stressed that Nigerian workers would resist any plan to sell the assets of public-owned establishments, especially at the twilight of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

    “TUC is opposed to plans by the Federal Government to privatise NIPOST and to strip the entity of its assets, handing them over to private concerns.

    “We say no to this, and it is fundamentally not correct because NIPOST is a national asset.

    He alleged that the Federal Ministry of Finance had released N8 billion for the proposed privatisation plan, and which large part would be given to private companies that would manage the assets.

    “We call on the government not to disburse that money, but to keep it and let the incoming administration have proper deliberations on the right course of action,” he said.

    On the operations of the transport sector, specifically in Lagos state, the TUC urged the state government to immediately return the parks to Road Transport Owners Association of Nigeria (RETAN), as ordered by the court.

  • Senate laments slow-paced N30bn renovation of NASS complex

    Senate laments slow-paced N30bn renovation of NASS complex

    The Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has ordered Visible Concept, the construction firm handling the N30 billion renovation work at the National Assembly to speedily complete the projects.

    Sen. Smart Adeyemi, Chairman of the Senate Committee, gave the order at an on-the-spot assessment of the projects by members of the committee with the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Shehu Ahmad.

    Recall that the FCDA had in March due to serious dilapidation of the National Assembly complex awarded contracts for the rehabilitation of critical segments of the complex.

    The segments included the hallowed chambers of the senate and the House of Representatives, the Dome in the White House as well as the construction of the office of the  National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) and Library at the cost of N30 billion.

    Adeyemi who noted that though the renovation works being carried out at both chambers were commendable, said, however, that the slow pace of work was very worrisome.

    He said that except for a miracle, the January 2023 deadline for delivery of transformed hallowed chambers was no longer feasible.

    “This project must not be abandoned in any way. The hallowed chambers are expected to be completed and delivered by the end of January 2023.

    “But the level of work seen here today is not pointing at that which to us, is a threat to our legislative duties and functions.

    “Non-completion of this project at designated times is even a threat to democracy itself because we don’t want the incoming government to inherit it as an abandoned one.

    “So, this committee wants to know the challenges confronting the contractors as regards expeditious execution of the projects,” he said.

    Adeyemi also told the executive secretary of FCDA to get in touch with the minister for more funds for the contractors.

    “As executive secretary of FCDA and Chief of Staff to the Minister, you have heard the contractor. Please give them more money for this project because we don’t want to hand over problems to the incoming government.

    “Even if it is bond to be taken from a bank, let it be done for timely completion of the project please.

    “For us in the national assembly, we want well transformed hallowed chambers to be handed over latest by April 2023,”  he said.

    On his part, the Site Engineer, Visible Concept, Mr  Tajudeen Olanipekun asked for more  funds to complete the project in good time.

    He said that fluctuations in the value of Naira to the  U.S.  dollar had been problematic for them in importation of required materials and equipment,  coupled with the need for more mobilisation funds from the  FCDA.

  • FHA disowns kpokpogiri as FCTA demolishes Abuja mansion

    FHA disowns kpokpogiri as FCTA demolishes Abuja mansion

    The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) has disowned Prince Joseph Kpokpogiri after the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) demolished his multi-million Naira mansion in Abuja on Saturday.

    Some officials of FHA, alongside its Managing Director, Gbenga Ashafa, visited the site of the doomed building three days ago, in the company of some top Management team of FCTA.

    The officials claimed that the plot of land originally belonged to FHA, but a proper building plan was not approved before the mansion was erected.

    According to FHA, notices to stop work were served at different stages and times of the work, but Kpokpogiri refused to comply.

    Also, the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Malam Shehu Hadi, who was also in the team that visited the site, said the road alignment had been done long ago and FHA was duly notified.

    Hadi noted that the alignment, which the demolished building obstructed, was designed to serve as an important bye-pass to the Abuja-Keffi axis.

    He added that any plan to realign the road because of the building would be difficult and not fair judgment to those that it would affect, considering that the demolished building was not in existence earlier when the plan started.

    On his part, the Director, FCTA Department of Development Control, Muktar Galadima, said the mansion, located in the highbrow District of Guzape, Abuja, was unapproved, and couldn’t be allowed to override public interest.

    Galadima noted that the mansion, sitting on a rock in the fast-developing district, was an obstruction to a major road network, connecting the popular Apo Bridge to many parts of the city.

    According to him, FHA has been duly allocated the area in the district, to carry out its Mass Housing Programmes.

    He, however, said that when the road network of the district was officially realigned, FHA was promptly notified that some plots of land within its area had been affected.

    Galadima added that FHA was ordered not to allow any further development on the affected plots, as replacement plots would be given to them.

    He also denied a lack of inter-agency collaboration between FCTA and FHA, stating that all necessary communications were properly documented.

    ” There is adequate inter-agency cooperation, the FHA approached the FCTA for allocation, and they were given approval and were asked to make sure that whatever they did, aligned with the approval.

    ” The plot in question was part of what was in the allocation, but because of the importance of the road, we wrote to FHA, notifying it that a number of plots had affected the realignment of the road, and that we are going to give it replacement plots.

    ” We told them that no development should be allowed on the plots, and this was around 2019; we came for site visit and have given them notice.

    “We even marked the building for demolition, but the owner cleaned it off,” Galadima said.

    Kpokpogiri has, however, claimed that the decision to pull down his mansion worth over N700 million, was an act of oppression.

    Kpokpogiri alleged that his house was demolished because he refused to sell it to some ” powerful ” but unnamed individuals who had begged him to sell the property to them.

    He assured that he would fight fervently to get justice for the demolished building.

  • FCDA opens up on what caused flooding of NASS Complex

    FCDA opens up on what caused flooding of NASS Complex

    …promises to renovate once contract is awarded

    The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) has attributed the flooding of the National Assembly last Tuesday to water seepage due to the blockade of drainages.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) recalls that the National Assembly complex was flooded on Tuesday temporarily affecting legislative business.

    In a statement issued by the authority on Friday it said, “the recent flooding of the lobby of the National Assembly Complex, Abuja resulting from leakages from the roof. Our findings indicate that the leakages are traceable to blockages of drainages leading to seepage of water through expansion joints in the roof slab.

    Read statement below:

    RE: FLOODING OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY COMPLEX

    The attention of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) has been drawn to the recent flooding of the lobby of the National Assembly Complex, Abuja resulting from leakages from the roof. Our findings indicate that the leakages are traceable to blockages of drainages leading to seepage of water through expansion joints in the roof slab.

    2. Full waterproofing of the roof of the White House building is a major aspect of the proposed renovation of the National Assembly Complex.

    3. The Management of the National Assembly approached the FCDA in 2019 for a total rehabilitation and upgrading of the NASS Complex to bring it in tune with Parliamentary Buildings around the world.

    4. This contract is currently undergoing procurement process in line with the Procurement Act of 2007 and will therefore be awarded as soon as it is concluded in conformity with the requirements of the Act and also considering all other relevant parameters.

    5. The Authority (FCDA) therefore assures that when the time comes, this project will be executed meticulously in order to ensure that the Nation gets value for the funds that will be expended as this has been the tradition with every other assignment which the Authority has undertaken.

    Richard A. Nduul

    Head, Public Relations & Information, FCDA.