Revocation Awaits Violators Of Building Approvals- Galadima

By Remi Johnson

Owners of properties that converted their buildings to other uses without approval from the Department of Development Control should either revert to the original use or face revocation.

Director, FCT Department of Development Control, Murktar Galadima, who gave this warning at a news conference in Abuja, said the Department has received ministerial approval to revoke such properties.

Galadima explained that most of the houses sold to the Occupiers by the Federal Government in 2005 due to the monetisation programme, have all been converted by the beneficiaries from residential to other uses, contrary to what was approved in the original plan across the territory.

The Development Control Boss said more than 111 cases of land use conversion in respect of the sold houses have been recorded and Occupiers duely informed and given notices to revert to the original land use but failed to comply.

He noted that the gross contraventions had over the years constituted so much burden for the city managers, hence the need to a dressit without further delay.

He however warned that property owners in this category only have from now till the end of October to revert to the original approval or face the consequences.

“Failure to comply with this directive as from Nov. 1, the house is considered as revoked.We are given such persons and individuals to the end of October to revert to the original use.

“The minister has also directed that owners of properties, particularly along major streets that have converted their properties to other uses without approval should either revert to original use or pay contravention charges.

“It is on this note that we felt it wise to inform the public of the decision and directive of the FCT Administration with regards to the indiscriminate conversion of land use in the FCT.This is being done to maintain the sanctity of the Abuja Master Plan.” Galadima said.

Edited By Grace Namiji