Demolition: Estate Developer Laments Harassment By FCDA

Home Builders Association of Nigeria (HBAN) property developers and part owners of property in Sabon Lugbe, Southwest District Layout, Federal Capital Territory, are frustrated by continued harassment and demolition of their properties by the Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA seeking to redesign and confiscate their land in the area.

Chairman of the association, Prince Engr Isaac Omolua voiced their plight at a press conference recently in Abuja, alleging that FCDA and its agents had been subjecting them to intimidation and fear by vandalising property of its members.

He said that FCDA had been trying to grab the land belonging to the association by devising different strategies, one of which is the proposed redesigning of the Layout.

Despite several communication with FCDA through its legal adviser, Nicholas Elechi & Co notifying them the existence of a layout since 1998, which the FCDA is trying to distort and redesign for pecuniary reasons.

Omolua added that all efforts to address the issue peacefully had been scuttled by the FCDA and now resorted to arm-twisting tactics by carrying out demolition of the property of members of the association.

There are unanswered questions by the FCDA, why the reason for redesigning Sabon Lugbe Southwest Layout is also not applicable to the Centenary land in the same area for not using the same method over 15 years now without relocation.

Chairman said, “As believers in the present Tinubu Renewed Hope policy to develop the country, we have written several letters to the FCDA to remind them of the existing layout without response.

“It’s unfortunate that despite our peaceful approach, believing that Nigeria is our country and have nowhere else to run to, still many already developed houses have been affected by the FCDA demolition. We are talking about or over N500 million to N800 million worth of property already destroyed.”

He also sought the intervention of the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike advising him not to allow certain officials of FCDA to mislead him, and to officially put an end to the matter and call the FCDA and its agent to order.