By Abdullahi Muhammad, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Barr. Nyesom Wike has Tuesday set up a taskforce to critically examine the land swap initiative started by his predecessors.
The land swap initiative which was introduced since 2012 had suffered set back, due to several factors.
One of the challenges, include agitation for integration, instead of relocation by some indigenous communities that are affected by initiative.
The Minister noted that the taskforce working on the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy ( C of O), was being empowered to handle all the complaints about the land swap.
Wike disclosed that several stakeholders have raised a lot of concerns about the initiative, hence the need to quickly review it.
He has directed the taskforce to review the agreement and all other documents that have relevant information on the initiative.
The taskforce that is headed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Lands, Urban and Regional Planning, Michael Chinda, has the mandate to work and deliver results within two months.
The minister said that “we have had a lot of complaints about land swap. You have been mandated to look at the agreement and consider its favourability to government”.
…secures SUKUK’s support to fund completion of millennium towers, other projects in FCT
Meanwhile, the Minister has revealed that he has been able to secure additional project funding sources for the FCT as the SUKUK has agreed to fund projects that were outside its original areas of coverage.
Wike who said the Fund which original projects coverage areas was only bridges and roads, has after much convinction, agreed to provide funds for the completion of the millennium tower projects and other abandoned ambitious projects in Abuja.
The Minister who disclosed this while on inspection tour of various projects sites across the capital city, expressed optimism that when completed the millennium tower project will change the landscape of Abuja as well as boost its tourism potentials.
While expressing satisfaction with the level of ongoing work at the Southern Parkway ring 1, which connects major roads in the heart of the city and B12 which stretches from Bolingo junction to he city gate, he assured the various contractors handling the projects that they will be paid before the end of the month.
Wike equally assured residents of the territory that all the ongoing projects will be completed before the 28th of May, 2014.