By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike has presented land allocation documents to members of the FCT Council of Traditional Rulers.
While speaking during a meeting with the Council, Wike explained that the good gesture was the outcome of the directive given by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure Council members are not only allocated lands but also giving waiver on all statutory fees for the land titles such as C of O payments and others.
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​The Minister emphasized that while the legal framework of the FCT often overlooks original ownership, the Tinubu administration recognizes the historical presence of indigenous people.
​”We cannot deny the fact that there are indigenous people who were here before the creation of the FCT.
“The President said we must extend a hand of fellowship to you. If those who make peace cannot be appreciated with land, who should be?”, he stated.
​The Minister commended the monarchs for their role in ensuring the “most peaceful” Area Council elections in the territory’s history.
To further enhance their capacity to maintain order, Wike promised the provision of utility vehicles for all traditional rulers in the FCT.
Furthermore, he listed several key infrastructure projects in the satellite towns, which include the Airport-Kuje road dualization, Bwari-Zuba link road, ​Apo/Karshi and ​Basan Jiwa as well as completion of the “Arab Road” network.
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​The highlight of the event was the waiver of land processing fees, which Wike noted that it would be “unfair” to ask traditional rulers to scout for large sums of money to pay for land they have inhabited for generations.
The Ona of Abaji, Alhaji (Dr.) Adamu Baba Yunusa,
who serves as the Chairman of the Council, expressed gratitude to the President and the Minister, pledging the continued support of the traditional institutions for the administration’s policies.
