By Daniel Tyokua
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has inaugurated a ministerial committee on post development audit of buildings in the Federal Capital City (FCC).
Inaugurating the team, coordinator Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, Mr. Felix Obuah said the decision followed approval of the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike.
He said the committee will help evolve measures that would reduce incidences of building collapses, and paveway for a sustainable city.
Obuah, explained that there will be provision of accurate records of all development permits issued to curb cases of unapproved development, illegal conversion of land use, and grabbing.
The team which is headed by the Director, Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, is expected to provide data on the consumption of the city’s utilities and services such as water, electricity and connectivity to sewer line, detect illegal connections to the facilities affecting revenue generation.
Obuah said the panel is also expected to provide data on city planning, development and management.
He added that the exercise will enhance security and employment since consultants and experts would be engaged to provide the necessary expertise and service.
Obuah said: “This Committee is critical to the sustainable development of our dear city, and it is our collective duty in ensuring that the Committee succeeds.
“On our part, the FCT Minister is committed to seeing that the necessary logistics needed
for the successful completion of this exercise are provided.
“Together, we shall carry out this exercise and together we shall chart a new course for the planning and development of our dear city that is evidence-based and in the end bequeath a sustainable city legacy to future generations.”
The coordinator further explained that the committee is made up of representatives of all the relevant FCT departments such as AEPB, Development Control, Urban and Regional Planning, Fire Services etc.
“The people appointed are professional in different fields, so we don’t have any doubt about their performance.
“At least, we expect on or before six months, the committee would have come up with a comprehensive report and recommendations to the Hon. Minister.
“It is not a committee of one month or two months, as anything that is worth doing, is worth doing very well, that is why we have given them this amount of time, so as to enable them do a very useful job”, he stressed.
Responding, Chairman of the Committee, Mukhtar Galadima, who described its work as an honourable but onerous task, however pledged that members of the committee will not disappoint the administration.
