Senate heeds Kingibe’s outcry, probes Abuja demolitions

The Senate has ordered the Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA, (FCT), led by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to stop demolishing structures in the nation’s capital.

This followed a motion moved by the Senator representing FCT, Ireti Kingibe, in which she observed that the massive demolition of structures embarked upon by the FCT Administration, is no longer based on illegal structures and non development of allocated plots of land by FCT administration as earlier communicated saying the action is not in line with due process of court orders on demolitions.

Kingibe explained that the massive revocation and demolition of people’s properties in FCT, worth billions of naira, has increased hardship for FCT residents calling for its stoppage.

Citing Paul Osang Estate, allocated in 1984 with requisite title document and which is currently under threat for demolition, the Senator described the owner of the property as a patriotic Nigerian that served the country Meritorious explaining that he was one of the first intakes into the highly esteemed Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna with registration number 001.

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She urged the Senate to prevail on FCTA to halt demolition of houses in FCT including the said estate (Paul Osang Estate). She however said all demolitions should follow due process.

Supporting the motion, the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, recommended that a committee should be set up to investigate demolitions in FCT.

Consequently, the Senate ordered the FCT Minister to stop further demolition in FCT while it also set up an investigative committee headed by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, to probe the controversial exercise within two weeks. The Committee is expected to invite the FCT Minister for interrogation.

The Senate has ordered the Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA , (FCT), led by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to stop demolishing structures in the nation’s capital.

This followed a motion moved by the Senator representing FCT, Ireti Kingibe, in which she observed that the massive demolition of structures embarked upon by the FCT Administration, is no longer based on illegal structures and non development of allocated plots of land by FCT administration as earlier communicated saying the action is not in line with due process of court orders on demolitions.

Kingibe explained that the massive revocation and demolition of people’s properties in FCT, worth billions of naira, has increased hardship for FCT residents calling for its stoppage.

Citing Paul Osang Estate, allocated in 1984 with requisite title document and which is currently under threat for demolition, the Senator described the owner of the property as a patriotic Nigerian that served the country Meritorious explaining that he was one of the first intakes into the highly esteemed Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna with registration number 001.

She urged the Senate to prevail on FCTA to halt demolition of houses in FCT including the said estate (Paul Osang Estate). She however said all demolitions should follow due process.

Supporting the motion, the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, recommended that a committee should be set up to investigate demolitions in FCT.

Consequently, the Senate ordered the FCT Minister to stop further demolition in FCT while it also set up an investigative committee headed by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, to probe the controversial exercise within two weeks. The Committee is expected to invite the FCT Minister for interrogation.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE