The FCT minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, has approved the revocation of residential houses given to individuals by the FCT administration but converted to other uses.
This was disclosed by Mr Mukhtar Galadima, director, Department of Development Control, FCTA, during a press conference in Abuja on Friday.
Galadima said the federal government in 2005 initiated the monetisation programme because of the cost of maintaining the houses, adding that the houses were sold to the occupiers so that they could maintain them.
He regretted that some of the beneficiaries converted the houses from residential to other uses.
In his words, “It is on this note that the minister has approved and directed that all owners of such property should revert the use of the property to its original and designated land use which is residential.
“Failing to comply with this directive as from Nov. 1, the house is considered as revoked. Weare given such persons and individuals to the end of October to revert to original uses, otherwise from Nov. 1, they should consider such properties as revoked and returned to FCTA.”
He revealed that the department had recorded more than 111 cases of land use conversion in respect of the sold houses, cutting across all the districts of the capital city.
He added that owners of the property. have been informed and given notices to revert to the original land uses but failed to comply
He said, “The minister has also directed that owners of property, particularly along major streets that have converted their property to other uses without approval should either revert to original use or pay contravention charges.
“Anyone that fails to comply with such a directive, the administration will take appropriate action, which may include revocation.
“It is on this note that we felt it wise to inform the public of the decision and directive of the FCT Administration with regards to the indiscriminate conversion of land uses in FCT.
“This is done to maintain the sanctity of the Abuja Master Plan.”
