ABUJA—The demolition exercise embarked upon by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai has received the blessing and support of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners which says the on-going demolition in the Federal Capital Territory serves a strong notice to all Nigerians that if we desire to develop beautiful and functional cities, developers must be prepared to subject themselves to the planning laws of the land.
The President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Dr. Chijioke Odimuko who disclosed this yesterday, Thursday in Abuja at its National Executive Council meeting noted that demolition of structures to bring development into conformity with on approved plan or scheme is a normal planning procedure worldwide.
“Thus, every basic town planning law in Nigeria and the civilized world contains a provision for the demolition of structures. For instance, Section 60 of the Embattled Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Law 1992, which is still an existing law in the FCT, provides that where a developer contravenes the provisions of a planning law or any regulations, the Control Department shall have the power to require the developer to pull down the building or carry out alterations,” he stated.
He noted that it is against this backdrop that the Institute is in full support of the FCDA and FCT Administration in its on-going demolition activities urging that the activity should be extended to all towns and cities of Nigeria where development plans are being implemented.
According to the President, racketeering and touting have been major features of the Abuja land mark and land allocation over the years that necessitated the audit exercise requiring every holder of a C of O to return same with a feel of =N10,000 in exchange, where a returned certificate is genuine for a new, fool proof of C of O.
“We the NITP believe that there is often some temporary in conveniences to the public whenever a worth while change is being introduced in society. In the particular case of re-validation of C of O’s in the FCT, holders of genuine certificates will be ready to absorb the inconvenience involved in this exercise,” he added.
Dr. Chijioke, however cautioned the Ministry of the Federal Capital to seek ways around as there seems to be a problem in cases where certificates of Occupancy have been submitted to Financial Institutions as collaterals for loans which may scare away potential foreign investors or even lead to the collapse of the financial system.
On the development in the Housing sub-sector of the Economy, the Nigeria Institute of Town Planners President applauded the new partnership that is developing between the public sector and the Federal Government. “There is also every indication that access to the National Housing Fund (NHF) for the Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs) and the contributors to the fund is improving steadily,” he applauded.
