The Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) has expressed zero tolerance for land grabbers, urging residents of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja to be wary of the activities of the group.
Noting that people are being evicted from their homes and forced to give up their lands due to activities of land grabbers, the Association noted that there were reoccurring incidents in FCT.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja yesterday, the president, REDAN, Dr. Aliyu Oroji Wamakko the land grabbers daily encroach on lands that do not belong to them with impunity by carrying out construction activities.
He also urged its members to comply with other Extant Laws on money laundering and counter-terrorism by reporting transactions as stated by the special control unit on money laundering and Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit.
He said, “A recent case was the ugly incident where seven suspects were arrested within Guzape II over land racketeering, who are bent on grabbing lands that do not belong to them. There are other pockets of cases where land grabbing cases occur.
“It will interest our audience to know that the majority of the land grabbers are not Members of REDAN. This is because they do not want to be subjected to the Code of Membership of REDAN,” he said.
“As a self-regulatory organisation for Real Estate and organised real estate firms in the business of housing and estate development nationwide, we hereby state emphatically and categorically that we detest such anomalies.”
Wamakko advised that anyone who is interested in getting land should procure it genuinely by approaching the government or the owners and not encroach on land which is not legally acquired.
He said REDAN has often asserted that they have zero tolerance for any member/s who is involved in any form of unethical dealings in the business of housing development.
“We use this medium to call on our members in particular to abide by any guidelines as stipulated by any of the land and housing-related departments of the FCTA.
“Also, compliance with extant laws is advised for all Members. This is in tandem with the REDAN Membership Code of Conduct and Performance Commitment Form signed while registering as a member of the Association,” he said.
He noted that accredited members found to be involved in any messy transaction will be brought to book, as we shall not harbor or condone any land grabber or racketeers.
“Paramount amongst our concern in the FCT is adherence to maintaining the Abuja Master Plan as designed and reviewed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
“Members should note that any established deviant behavior shall be met with stiff sanction which may involve removal from the Registry of REDAN and blacklisting, and such report escalated to Government Agencies for information, record, and further action,” he said.
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