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The Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, this week began an investigative public hearing on the numerous complaints it had received from thousands of Nigerians on the affairs of the Territory’s administration between 1999 and 2007. These complaints range from demolition of houses, revocation of plots, multiple allocation of plots, sale of Federal Government houses to the concession of Federal Government property like the International Conference Centre, Eagle Square and Garki General Hospital. Other areas of complaints include dismissals and retirements of staff, non-compliance with court orders, allocation of corner shops, markets and parks.
The objective of the probe according to the Committee Chairman, Senator Abubakar Sodangi, is to verify the allegations made by the complainants, seek redress and find succour for the victims. This hearing is a follow-up to an earlier investigation committee set up by the last Senate under the late Senator Idris Ibrahim Kuta in response to the outcries over demolition of houses by the FCT administration. Unfortunately, the report of the Kuta Committee, though presented to the Senate, was never discussed. We are glad that this public hearing will offer an opportunity to separate the facts from fiction on all the allegations levelled against the FCT administration in the last eight years. We recognise the fact that some painful actions had to be taken to restore the master plan of the capital city. The reckless distortions of the master plan saw the construction of houses on sewage lines, reserved green areas and under high tension electric cables. There is therefore little doubt that Abuja has gradually become a better planned and more beautiful modern city. It can also become the pride of all Nigerians and indeed Africans. However, despite the good intentions that justified some of the actions taken to restore and develop the city, there are also several reported cases of nepotism, unfair revocation of plots and houses, selfishness, greed and acts of impunity. To this extent, succour must be found for the victims of injustice, oppression and unfair treatment. For the sake of peaceful coexistence and harmony in the FCT, government must redress such cases of injustice. Government must also punish those officials who violated rules, regulations and due process to manipulate the system thereby causing so much pains and anguish to fellow citizens. For example, there are presently over 500 court cases against the FCT Administration largely as a result of refusal to obey court orders restraining it not to either demolish properties, revoke plot allocations or over Federal Government houses purchases, evictions, dismissals and retirements. The culture of impunity that was almost institutionalised in the FCT Administration must be brought to an end and the perpetrators duly punished as a deterrence. Finally, we urge the committee to do its work fairly and justly with all sense of responsibility. It should not witch-hunt, victimise, humiliate or embarrass anybody no matter the temptation. As a fact-finding assignment, the open hearing must be conducted diligently and credibly while the Committee should make its recommendations fairly in the interest of justice, peace and national reconciliation.
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