FCT to reclaim Muslim board land

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja has vowed to reclaim the encroached parcel of land allocated to FCT Muslims Pilgrim Welfare Board (MPWB) in Gwagwalada Area Council of the territory.

FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, who gave the assurance when the Director, Malam Mohammed Nasiru Danmallam and other management staff of the Board took her round the disputed areas, described the encroachment as lawlessness and unacceptable by the administration.

She revealed that the essence of citing the pilgrims board in Gwagwalada was to decongest the city centre, in order to bring development to the satellite towns, and encourage other activities in rural communities in line with the Abuja master plan.

Aliyu said, ‘’When did this place became residential? All these properties must be pulled down and that is the truth. This is the peak of lawlessness and it’s not acceptable because this property is for the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and the Hajj Camp. Hopefully, the 2020 hajj operations will take place here, this is disheartening.

“But unfortunately, this might have be done on the assumption that the MPWB is already in the town and will not be using here again. But this is grossly unacceptable, because the essence of putting the Pilgrims board here is also to decongest the city centre, in order to bring development to the satellite towns, and to also encourage other activities.

“And this intend to maintain the Abuja Master Plan of the Federal Capital Territory. So whatever encroachment we have here will be taken out. This is very clear. It’s unfortunate that this has happened. But the culprits must be brought to book”, Aliyu vowed.

Also speaking on the fate of some economic trees planted by some indigenous people, the minister stated that no compensation will be paid, stressing that such people will be made to pay for their lawlessness.

According to her, “They are causing us so much to uproot or remove all these. So, there is nothing like compensation. In fact, with whose permit do they went upon the land to plant? It’s unacceptable, and lawlessness must just stop in the Federal Capital Territory.

“Everybody sees any land, and just moves in to construct or plant something, and the next thing they are asking for is compensation. That has become the order of the day, and a means of livelihood. In fact, they should be made to pay for damages. With this, I think lawlessness will stop in FCT. Land belongs to the Federal government and it belongs also to FCT Administration, and you must keep off”. She added.