Revocation Order: FCTA Extends Deadline For Mosques, Churches

By Remi Johnson

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has extended the ‘develop or revoke’ order issued to religious organisations.

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike who made this known in Abuja when he received the Board of the National Mosque, led by its Chairman, Alh. Yahaya Abubakar, said he exempted them from the three month ultimatum earlier issued to owners of undeveloped plots.

The Administration had in September, granted a three-month grace period for owners of 189 undeveloped plots of land in Abuja, to begin developing them or risk having their allocation papers revoked.

The Minister said the decision to extend the ultimatum for religious groups was largely because they depend on free- will donations for sustenance.

The FCT Minister said that the revocation order issued to owners of abandoned projects and plots was not targeted at any individual or groups, but rather to change the landscape of the territory and to discourage criminals from hibernating in them.

He added that no government will hesitate to support the renovation of a national monument, be it Mosque or a church.

“In order to fight crime, and change the land scape of the city, we will not allow uncompleted buildings, therefore those who gave theirs, go now and start completing them. We know the finances of religious groups, they are handicapped as they are not business people…we can say on religious grounds, instead of three months, we can give additional time but it is not targeted at anybody or group. Now you have come and explained, which reasonable man would not accept it. So our people should stop saying he is targeting so so group or religion or ethnic group, no, it is for the interest of all of us.”

Wike also used the opportunity to clarify the controversies around the alleged demolition of a mosque in Rivers state where he served as governor of the state,
pointing out that the allegation was a political move spread by his opponents as no Mosque was demolished during his tenure as governor.

Earlier, the chairman of the group said they were at FCTA to seek clarification on the status of its plot 63 where they were directed to halt development during the construction of the Outer Southern Express way.

The Board Chairman also used the opportunity to seek for support to complete the ongoing renovation of the FCT National Mosque which he described as a national monument .

However, on plot 99, the royal father said the plot has been getting the right attention as the council had obtained a building plan approval to begin development soon.

Edited By Grace Namiji