Leadership (Abuja)
Golu Timothy
19 June 2008
Abuja — The proposed boulevard to be established in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will consume about 300 plots in the choice Garki district of the Federal City Centre (FCC).
This is because the plots are to be revoked to give way for the contruction of the multi-billion naira 6.5km commercial edifice.
The breakdown of the affected plots shows that 132 are yet to be developed, 72 partially developed and 71 fully developed.
The N50 billion project will commence from Eagle Square down to the National Hospital.
The project is expected to pay back its cost through payment of development levies by allottees of plots within the boulevard area.
To this, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Headquarters, and other buildings standing on the way of passage of the project faces revocation.
Already, N250 million for the planning, engineering design and preliminary works/services for the project was included in the FCT budget, which is still before the National Assembly.
The Federal Executive Council yesterday also approved for the Federal Capital Development Authority to develop and maintain recreational facilities in Abuja .
According to the FCT minister, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar, who briefed newsmen after the council meeting, the idea of the boulevard was not knew as it was in the FCT masterplan. "It must be done either we like it or not since it is already in the master plan."
He noted that the plots on the way of passage were allocated wrongly.
Hence, owners of the plots, including the NNPC, would in the new dispensation be asked to pay a new developmental levy or face revocation.
According to the minister, plot owners would be asked to pay between N50, 000 and N75, 000 per square metre, which would bring the levy on a plot to about N500 million.
He however assured that they will be given the right of first refusal.
Umar also stated that the administration would discuss with those affected and also introduce the new rate to them.
According to him, "The FCT administration has resolved to embark on the development of the Axial Roads, B08 and B10, into world standard boulevards similar to other popular boulevards in the big cities of the world substantially through public-private partnership.
"The boulevard area or Abuja downtown, when fully developed, is expected to attract and facilitate 24/7 commercial activities complemented by 24/7 vehicular and pedestrian movement.
"Therefore, to facilitate the timely realization of the proposed scheme the FCT administration will undertake a detailed analysis by the AGIS of existing plot subdivisions and allocations in the proposed boulevard area and resolve the inherent conflict of allocation.
"Under the Land Use Act we have the rights, we have the right to change that plan but the tenant has the right to seek redress and the Land Use Act is also clear about the rights of the sitting tenants.
"In the next one or two weeks we are going to publish in the papers. We are going to discuss with the owners. The key word there is the right of first refusal because we are not going to say move, if you are going to retain your plot. This is the new development levy. We are going to exercise that right."
Speaking on the cost of the project, he said, "The terrain right now is not even, so there will be a lot of filling to get it to a certain level. We are not sure of the estimate, though we are working towards getting the correct estimate, but the original estimate just for that 6 kilometers will cost N50 billion to build it.
"That is why we believe the time is over where government will build infrastructure and develop it and give to somebody who paid N2,000 per square meter only for him to resell that plot for N300 million and put into his pocket. At the moment a plot of 5,000 square metres is selling for between N100 million and 150 million and it is not fair for government and people of Nigeria, where some people by virtue of their privilege will take this land and wait for government to take this precious money that could be channeled to other use to develop the area for you only for you to resell, when there are even institutions like MTN and Globacom waiting for us at the Boulevard even with the new rate."
Umar also stated that there is no time-frame for the commencement of the project, adding, "We have to raise the money. We have to reach a consensus. We don't want to bulldoze people based on our new mantra of the rule of law. We want to respect the rights of our citizens for fair hearing.
"If a tenant decides he does not want, he will first go to the FCT Land Use Act Tribunal and if he is not satisfied, he will go to the Abuja High Court, then the Appeal Court . And we are willing to go all the way because one way or the other the boulevard will have to be built. This is very clear. It's either the government does it long time or government gets money to do it because it's already in the master plan."
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