FCTA issues ultimatum to allottees of undeveloped lands in Apo-Dutse Pantaker

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By Kingsley Madaki

Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA has issued a stern warning and one a month ultimatum to allottees of undeveloped lands in Apo-Dutse Pantaker site to develop them or risk revocation.

The Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to the minister of FCT, Ikharo Attah, made this known, revealing that, after the administration spent the state resources to clean up the market, most of the owners of plots in the site haven’t taken possession of their plots.

He added that about 150 illegal shanties and shops were removed on Monday, saying, “We returned to Apo-Dutse Pantaker market after spending several days to remove the illegalities on plots of land and we returned for a mop up exercise but somehow we are not too pleased that most of the allottees have not taken over their land, the Minister of FCT Malam Muhammad Bello is very bitter and unhappy, because most of the allottees have not taken over their land and he is spending state resources to do the cleanup exercise in terms of buying diesel and paying personnel allowances, servicing the machines among others.

“What we are hearing is that some of the allottees are speculating with their land and this cannot continue and is unacceptable.

“People who have gotten land in this place and are waiting for us to clear it should immediately report to Development Control within the next one month. Not just fencing the land but also getting building plan approval and building on it.

“They should not leave the land vacant for too long, people are going to go in here, we will be recommending to the FCT Minister and pleading with him that if in the next one month we do not see meaningful development in terms of fencing and ground breaking for structures because the Minister is spending huge amount of state resources to cleanup. And those who have properties are not taking it over. The Minister should revoke the land.

“The only way you can get them to move out of here is for the plot owners to take over their plots and start development. As long as the plot owners are speculating then pantaker and miscreants will take over their plots”, he warned.

On allocation of alternatives to the Association of Scrap Dealers, Apo-Dutse Pantaker market, he noted that the Minister is considering it and they should be patient.

He however, warned them against operating with scavengers because it paints them in a bad light.

The Chairman Association of Scrap Dealers, Apo-Dutse pantaker market, Anas Ismail while fielding questions from journalists said his people are not regrouping rather they are packing their things.

He said they have already written to the Minister to please give them more time to pack their things.

He said they have already written to the Minister to please give them more time to pack their things.

Secretary General, Apo Dutse Pantaker Market, Bala Haruna also collaborated with what their Chairman said adding that nobody came back, that they are dealing with so many things which include cars and others and it will take them some time to pack them.