By Patrick Idowu
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared a sweeping reform in land administration across Abuja aimed at dismantling land speculation and accelerating development in the nation’s capital.
Wike, who made this known on Tuesday after inspecting key infrastructure projects within the Abuja city centre, said the new land policy is designed to eliminate hoarding by individuals waiting for market prices to spike before selling undeveloped plots.
“If you say you want land in Abuja and cannot develop it in two years, that’s speculation,” Wike said. “We are trying to stop land speculators. Allocation must come with commitment and capacity to develop.”
He insisted that land allottees must pay all required charges within 21 days and submit their Letters of Acceptance or forfeit their offers, in a bold move to ensure land is not wasted.
“Why would you not pay your fees within 21 days? It doesn’t make sense. You cannot apply for land and then not have money to pay for the C of O,” he added.
The minister’s stance, delivered through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, comes amid growing concern over stalled developments and mounting irregularities in Area Council land allocations.
Olayinka revealed a troubling backlog, stating that of the 261,914 land documents submitted for regularization since 2006, only 8,287 have been vetted, and just 2,358 successfully cleared for statutory titles.
This represents a meagre 3.2 percent of total submissions.
“Allottees from Area Councils now have 60 days to make full payments,” he warned.
Wike affirmed that the FCT Administration has the legal authority to enforce these reforms without waiting for new legislation.
“There’s nothing wrong with enforcing what already exists. We need to generate revenue and fast-track development,” he said.
On infrastructure, Wike expressed satisfaction with ongoing construction across the city.
Projects inspected include the 15-kilometer Outer Southern Expressway connecting Apo to Wasa, the Arterial Road N20 linking Jahi to Kubwa and Jabi, and the Mabushi Bus Terminal.
“The one from Apo to Wasa by CGC will be ready by May. The Kubwa interchange by Gilmor is also on track,” Wike stated confidently.
However, he was unimpressed with the quality of work at the Mabushi Bus Terminal and directed immediate corrections.
“Finishing is key, especially because these are projects the President will commission in May for his second anniversary,” he said.
Wike urged all contractors to meet deadlines and deliver projects to standard, underscoring his administration’s resolve to give Abuja a facelift and restore order to its urban planning.
“By and large, we are on schedule. We are happy with what we are seeing, but no room for mediocrity,” he concluded.
