The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • ‘Rail stations to be operational soon in Abuja’

    Preparatory to the completion and commissioning of the abuja rail project, the FCT administration will soon perform the ground-breaking ceremony of 14 rail stations across the federal capital city and some satellite towns.

    The FCT minister, Senator Bala Mohammed disclosed this in Abuja at the 2013 Ministerial Platform at the National Press Centre, Garki 1 District.

    Mohammed praised President Goodluck Jonathan who directed that this mode of transportation be urgently implemented to reduce the over-dependence on the road transportation which has been characterised by traffic congestion and chaos.

    The minister reiterated that the contract for the construction of the Abuja rail, though awarded in 2007, has progressed from 21.12 to 25.57 per cent with 4.38% of that percentage achieved between May 2012 and April 2013.

    According to him, the federal government has practically shown its commitment to complete this project during its current transformational period, thereby signing a $500 million loan agreement with chinese firm Exim to facilitate the implementation of the project.

    He emphasised that the project has positive multiplier-effects on Nigerians as 600 formal and informal jobs have so far been created and would be doubled as work progresses on the vital areas.

    Mohammed revealed that the project comprises design and construction of 45.245 kilometre standard gauge railway tracks and associated permanent way, station buildings, bridges and culverts, communication among others.

    With the clamour for more high-capacity buses, Mohammed said that the FCT administration has increased the number of participants in its operator license scheme to seven and that currently the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has 40 buses, AUMTCO 250, FABREM 40; SHAAXI 40, AUTOSTAR, SECDA as well as REITN newly licensed to add a minimal of 50 buses each before the end of the year.

    The minister recalled that Vice President Namadi Sambo last week commissioned 160 brand new taxis under the Abuja taxi scheme, adding that the number is expected to be increased to 1,000 before the end of the year.

    Mohammed assured that the on-street parking programme would be reorganised due to several complaints from residents to satisfy the yearning of the people in line with the vision and aspiration of president jonathan administration.

    his words: “The on-street parking was introduced to tackle some of the traffic problems especially during peak hours in the Abuja metropolis, ensure orderliness, increase IGR, reduce congestion; it has so far created 1,130 jobs”.

    The minister said that a total of 126 intersections have been signalised in the city, 74 of them with the old incandescent technology, 32 with solar backup, while 26 intersections are currently being upgraded.

  • Minister promises peace

    Minister promises peace

    The Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, has assured Nigerians that the nation will soon start experiencing peace, adding that the emergency rule declared by President Goodluck Jonathan is yielding the expected result.

    Moro stated this in Abuja at the ongoing Ministerial Platform, stressing that the emergency rule was part of government efforts to restore peace  to the areas affected by the insurgency.

    The minister, who reeled out the achievements of the Ministry of Interior during the period under review, noted with satisfaction the superlative efforts of NSCDC to ensure the protection of major assets of the nation which include oil pipelines and prevention of oil theft through bunkering, among others

    He  also noted  that NSCDC has also embarked on aggressive training and retraining of its standing armed squad,  adding that a sizeable number of its armed personnel  trained are and working jointly with the Nigerian Army to enhance their capacity to face head on the present security challenges facing the nation.

    On the nation prisons, the Minister revealed that the NPS has completed arrangements to use the PPP model to manage the prisons farm centres in partnership with Messrs Konsult Rabboni Limited for an initial pilot phase of five years.

    He further disclosed that the bill to amend the Prison Act has passed through the second reading at the National Assembly

    The Federal Fire Service, the minister said, will soon be wearing a new look with the approval to set up 265 fire service stations across the country

    The NIS,the minister disclosed, will soon begin the construction of border control plazas. He also revealed that to further police the nation borders, the mobile border patrol unit is being strengthen ed for effective surveillance.

  • Abuja farmers for training

    The tough challenges faced by farmers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) may soon be over if feelers from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture are anything to go by.

    With improved mechanised methods, the farmers will no longer have to till the land from dawn till dusk to cultivate limited farm produce while the nomadic Fulani herdsmen will not need to walk for miles to feed their livestock.

    The Federal Capital Territory through the Ministry of Agriculture and the FADAMA III project, our correspondent gathered, have intensified efforts in reducing the hardship faced by such farmers and educate how to make farming a lucrative business.

    FCT natives who are mostly farmers are being assisted by the administration to learn and adopt the mechanised system of farming which is more productive and less stressful.

    According to the Minister of Agriculture Akinwumi Adesina, “The Ministry will invest N3.5 billion for mechanised agriculture because farming must be modernised to renew the structure of the demographics that is involved in agriculture.”

    With this new development, FCT farmers will benefit from the units of tractors and centres for distribution in the country and with the policy, farmers get coupons that is in their cell phones which they use to rent the tractors at such centres.

    Through the FADAMA III project in Kwali Area Council of the FCT, which was visited by the Minister of State for the FCT Olajumoke Akinjide on June13, it is interesting to note that natives of Bonugu in Kwali who are basically Fulani farmers and herdsmen are being trained in different groups comprising of men, women and youths on large ruminant upgrading, where they are taught on the process of artificial insemination to upgrade their cattle.

    They are also trained on small ruminant production like the sheep, on how to preserve their milk (the Nono), fish production, poultry management and also feed processing for their livestock.

    The Fulani community who came dressed in their best and excited to showcase their achievements, insisted that they developed a special interest in the large ruminant upgrading through artificial insemination after witnessing the success recorded by the FCT FADAMA III project in its programme with some groups at Paikon Kore Grazing Reserve.

    According to Jeodal Gondal, president of the FADAMA Community Association in Bonugo Kwali, “before the intervention of FADAMA during the dry season, we moved our cattle as far as Ankpa in Kogi State in search of pasture and water. However with the borehole and drinking trough provided through FADAMA’s support, the problem of water for our animals is now a thing of the past. The project has also supported us with feed crushing machine which we will use to crush grains stuck for the feeding of our animals during the dry season.”

    In another community in Kwali called Bukpe, women were trained in cassava production and ways of producing the cassava flour in large quantity. The FADAMA programme trained them on processing, frying and the best ways to preserve and package their cassava flour for the wider markets. One of the women leaders of Bukpe community after their presentation to the Minister of State Olajumoke Akinjide was so excited for the progress she had made and ran to hug the minister without permission but was restrained.

    The minister praised the participants for their commitment and said that the future is bright for agriculture and can provide the much needed employment that the country craves for. She also discouraged the farmers on the mismanagement of wealth by marrying more wives when

    they realise that they are making more money because those wives will produce more children that will further put a strain on the wealth.

    According to her, “when men make money, they marry more wives but the woman make money, she takes care of the family.”

  • Centenary beauty pageant coming

    As part of the nation’s 100 years celebrations, there will be a Miss Centenary Nigeria Beauty Pageant and Fashion show staged in Abuja before the end of the year.

    The show is being organised for young women between 18 and 25 years of age as a unifying tool in the country.

    National Coordinator, Mr. Kolade Oludare, Miss Centenary Beauty Pageant and Fashion Show, disclosed this to reporters at a press conference in Abuja.

    He said the beauty pageant is not a bikini show but one that will showcase Nigeria’s culture as it marks its 100 years of existence.

    Miss Centenary Pageant project was unveiled as part of activities to mark the country’s 100 years of existence.

    Oludare said that the project would further strengthen the cultural, ethnic and religious background of the people.

    His words: “The show will be a strong foundation that is deeply rooted in the national unity and peaceful coexistence of the country, thereby acting as a unifying tool.’’

    He said that Miss Centenary Nigeria was to promote the beautiful culture of the country and the different ways of dressing, while also promoting the peaceful coexistence of the nation.

    “The Nigerian woman is a key player in the sustainability of the unity and development that the country has enjoyed in the last 100 years, “ he added.

    Oludare said that the woman, who emerges as the centenary queen would have the opportunity to project “a great, vibrant and progressive nation that is ready to be a world leader’’.

    The “no-bikini’’ event is billed for December 14, in Abuja ahead of the January 2014 Centenary event.

    The winner of the pageant is expected to participate fully in the general celebrations to showcase how the Nigerian womanhood has evolved in culture and tradition in the last 100 years.

    According to him, the pageant will parade Nigerian designers and fabrics to showcase the decency that Nigeria is known for.

    He said that the programme would be aired live on television.

    He explained that the winner of the pageant would go home with a Nigerian assembled SUV car to promote made in Nigeria brand alongside cash and other prizes.

    According to Oludare, the ultimate goal of the event is to contribute toward peace building, irrespective of ethno-religious diversities.

    Activities for the pageant will include talent hunt, cooking competition of Nigerian dishes, workshops, debates on issues of national development and fashion competition.

     

  • Commuters bemoan new transport policy

    The new FCT transport policy which took off on June 3 came with many challenges, but one very common to all, was that many commuters were stranded at various bus stops.

    Residents of Gwagwa-Karmo, Dutse and parts of Kubwa were left stranded and stood for long at their respective bus-stops owing to a shortfall in high capacity buses to move them to their destinations obviously due to the underestimation of the population in these areas.

    Also, many commuters who work in the city but live in the suburbs of the satellite towns such as Masaka, Ado and Maraba Nyanya axis were not left out following the dearth of buses.

    For many, the rates increased as the restricted mini-buses charged higher fare from their bus-stops to the designated points where the high capacity buses are supposed to pick passengers, thereby increasing their cost of transportation.

    Many residents agreed that the new policy, if well implemented, will reduce the usual traffic logjam in town but others doubt its effectiveness.

    According to Miss Blessing Ogbonna, a resident of Mararaba, the buses that the administration claims to be plying most routes are not yet available and residents like herself, paid about N200 coming into town compared to a fare of N70 she used to pay.

    Despite the challenges, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, (FCTA) has enjoined residents to embrace the new policy aimed at improving the transport operations in the Federal Capital City, (FCC).

    This was made known by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Senator Bala Mohammed through his Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters and National Assembly, Sen. Usman Jibril Wowo.

    Wowo said the new transport policy was part of the welfare package by the administration for the residents and it would improve on the man-hour of the workers and business men alike as the city centre would be plied by the certified high capacity buses running scheduled services.

    He pointed out that when new policies take off, there are some minor challenges which are fine-tuned over time, assuring the residents that the new policy will meet public aspiration in the shortest possible time.

    “This policy will make people move from the satellite towns to the city with ease and at a cheaper rate as the highest fare is N150 for people from Gwagwalada, Kuje and Zuba and as low as N50 for movements within the business district.

    “Besides, the vehicles are to take off at an interval of between three and 10 minutes whether they are filled or not because they are subsidised and would help to build a culture of timeliness to catch in the long run” wowo stated.

    He noted that even though the policy had attracted a lot of criticisms initially from the public leading to delay in its implementation such vent of public view reflected the right of the citizens to seek clarification on any issue that they do not understand from the administration.

    The Special Assistant added that given the respect the administration has for the FCT resident’s implementation of the policy was shifted twice to accommodate useful public views which have helped to sharpen the policy for general acceptability.

    He said “I recall that the FCT chapter of National Union of Road Transport Workers, (NURTW) Self Employed Commercial Drivers Association, (SECDA) Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, (RTEAN) and Painted Abuja Taxi, (PAT) were amongst those who took it upon themselves to educate their membership for a successful implementation of the policy when they were convinced it is a good policy for their business and the commuters.

    According to him the various groups represented by their leaders in the series of meetings endorsed the new policy and pledge support for the programme which would reduce the heavy

    traffic often witnessed in the city centre while man-hour for businesses is gained for higher productivity both in the public and private sector for the overall benefit of the FCT and the country.

    He charged the various groups to contain erring members of their associations especially the touts who carry out illegal arrest on the roads in the guise of representing the union to desist from the action as security men will not hesitate to enforce the relevant laws.

     

  • FRSC increases operation in FCT

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has increased its operational locations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), it was learnt.

    Speaking with reporters at the road safety regulatory risk management workshop scheme organized by  Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) at Abuja, FRSC, Assistant Corps Marshal Denis Terrang  said that following the World Bank intervention, the corps has procured 12 ambulances with which it can respond to accident situations  to rescue victims 20 minutes of getting the information.

    He said: “Even last month, the World Bank donated 12 ambulances to the FRSC. And these ambulances are equipped for the best rescue operations.”

    According to him, the FRSC now has roadside clinics which are equipped with paramedics.

    Meanwhile, SPDC Managing Director, Mr. Mutiu Summonu explained that following the growing death and injury rates from road accidents, the oil giant  moved to prune down the occurrences of road accidents with the sensitisation workshop.

    He said: “Statistics from the World Health Organization show that globally, road traffic accidents remain the leading cause of death by injury, the tenth leading cause of all deaths and the ninth leading contributor to the burden of disease.”

    He however vowed that: “With the highest mortality statistics being recorded from in Africa, it is time for all of us to do things differently.”

    Represented by the Manager, Health Safety &Environment, Amadi Amadi, he explained that globally, on yearly basis, about 1.2 million people die from road crashes  while 50 million are injured.

    While expressing worry that the crashes are capable of wiping away some small countries like Netherland that is only about that population, he added that the situation is unacceptable.

    He said “If you look at the statistics world-wide, about 1.2million people die on road accidents.  The total number of injured is in the range of 50million every year.”

    Summonu however said that “ that  is why we are putting this together to build the capacity of those who are saddled with the responsibility to enforce our road safety.”

    The participants at the workshop were representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Service Corps (FRSC),  Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps (NSDC) and the Vehicle Inspectorate Officers, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

     

  • New transport policy unsettles bus owners

    Imagine a park filled with commuters on a rainy June evening, the torrents of rain pelting the waiting crowd, the icy winds making them shiver to the bone marrows in the approaching night while waiting for vehicles that never came.

    Would this be the impending fate of thousands of workers and commuters in the coming days?

    From this week what will be the lot of the masses in the Federal Capital Territory in terms of transportation? How much is going to be the amount to be spent by an average worker for daily transportation in Abuja in the coming days? How long would it take people to get to work in the mornings and home in the evenings?

    Would people be able to afford taxis or have the energy to trek long distances everyday to and from their offices and various destinations?

    These are the questions currently being asked by concerned citizens in the Federal Capital City of Abuja.

    The FCT Administration decided that from that date mini-buses shall no longer operate within the main city. The administration has said that any mini- bus found in the city after that date would be impounded.

    The determination of the FCT administration to enforce the policy has elicited concerns and criticisms from the populace about the fate of the thousands of workers that commute daily from the satellite towns of the FCT to the city centre on a daily basis.

    There is also the fear that the stoppage could escalate the current unemployment situation and increase the crime rate in the capital city.

    Scores of mini-bus owners and drivers last Tuesday staged a protest at the National Assembly over the imminent ban of the buses in the Federal Capital Territory metropolis.

    An earlier test of the policy for a few days in February by the FCT Administration left thousands of commuters stranded across the city.

    The Transport Secretariat of the FCT has expressed the intention to confine the operations of the mini-buses to the satellite towns in the FCT and stop them from coming into the city and to replace their services with long buses.

    The new policy initially thought to have been postponed indefinitely is now the source of apprehension in the city as those who are not car owners believe that the policy would compound an already complex transportation situation.

    There are also fears that the cost of transportation will skyrocket and commercial activities in the city would be affected.

    The protesters at the National Assembly last Tuesday under the aegis of the Owners and Drivers of Mini-Buses Association in the FCT, described the new policy as “obnoxious policy on transport,” and that it is “not mass-friendly.”

    “About 62,000 drivers and conductors will be denied of their daily bread as a result of this inhuman government arrangement,” the association said.

    Members of the association carried various banners that had inscriptions like: “We are Nigerians, give us our right to work please,” “We are not in military regime, we are in democracy, hear our cry,” “We’re part of the organised labour, we are not touts, live and let live,” “SOS, SOS, save our jobs, don’t throw us into starvation and death. Save our jobs,” “NASS save our families.”

    Other banners read: “We are legitimate drivers and conductors, NASS stop this impending slavery,” “Is government afraid of competition? Live and let live,” “Create jobs not joblessness.”

    A member of the association, Prince Paul Omeire, stated that the objective of the protest was to get the National Assembly influence the FCT Transport Secretariat change the policy

    “We are members of Owners and Drivers Association, and we operate the town service. We own the bus and drive it. Our problem is with the Transport Secretariat of the FCT.

    “The new transport policy is that we should stop operation in the city on June 3 and this means that thousands of drivers and conductors with their families and other extension will suffer. We create jobs and we don’t know why they want to create joblessness,” he said.

    On why they were at the National Assembly, he said “We are here to see our representatives at the National Assembly and see if we can get the FCT Transport Secretariat to change the policy.

    “In many cities across the world, small, big buses as well as taxis operate without hindrance, why should it be different in Abuja, all we want is peaceful co-existence.

    Omeire said that in the alternative, the FCT could build alternate motor parks and garages in the city where the mini-buses can utilise within the city, “so that the complaints of disturbance will stop.”

    The association enjoined all FCT residents to “Lend your voice and save the situation,” adding that “we are persuaded that the timely disapproval and condemnation by the masses of the FCT of the Machiavellian policy can make the FCT policy makers think twice.”

    Clement Acholonu, an FCT resident who stays in Maraba told The Nation that the problem stems from a disconnect of the policy makers from the problems of the people.

    “These people do not understand. They have many cars. Do they stand in the sun like we do? Do they stand in the rain like we do? Do they feel our pains? Do they trek kilometres after a hard day’s job? Of course, the answer is no. Its not enough to sit in air-conditioned offices and craft policies that affect the people negatively. That is not governance,” he said.

     

  • Minister urges military support for democracy

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed has called on the Nigerian Armed Forces to continue to support democratic institutions as the nation celebrates Democracy Day.

    The minister made the call while receiving the Chief of Air Staff who paid him a visit.

    Mohammed remarked that the call had become necessary, especially with the security challenges being experienced in some parts of the country.

    The minister stressed that their support would further strengthen democratic tenets, which by extension, will fast-track the development of the entire country.

    He urged the Armed Forces to key into the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan as the agenda is all-encompassing; taking care of even minute sub-sector of the society.

    According to him, their keying-in and collaboration would go a long way in assisting even the leadership of the Armed Forces to leave landmark achievements and legacy for future generations.

    He assured that all plots meant for the Armed Forces in the Federal Capital Territory would be sorted out to enable them to commence development in earnest.

    While appreciating the security cover the Armed Forces have been providing in and around the 8,000 square kilometres of the Federal Capital Territory, especially the role Nigerian Air Force has been playing at the Abuja Airport, the Minister promised to continue to partner with the security agencies in the Territory.

    He said that the sales of the Federal Government houses in the FCT is a continuous process, even as he assured that houses being occupied by military personnel in Apo, Gudu District will be sold to them in accordance with the regulations.

    On the 110 hectares of land the Nigerian Air Force allegedly bought from some land racketeers in Kyami District, Senator Mohammed directed the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority through the Urban and Regional Planning to, within two weeks, provide a better alternative because the District has already been allocated to genuine owners with title documents.

    The minister advised that anybody wishing to make transaction on any plot of land in the FCT should first make verifications on the status of such plots from the FCT Administration to reduce scam and corruption pervading the sub-sector; especially as it affects the area councils’ plots.

    His words: “Kyami District in the Federal Capital City has already been allocated with people holding subsisting legal titles because the District is not meant for mass housing projects.”

    The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Alex Badeh complained that the Nigerian Air Force bought some plots of land amounting to about 110 hectares in Lugbe and later discovered that the area council allocation could no longer be accessed.

    He praised Senator Mohammed for the good work he has been doing in the Federal Capital Territory, promising to collaborate with the FCT Administration by exploiting new frontiers.

  • ‘We’ll continue to fight piracy’

    The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has restated its commitment to stamping out the crime of piracy in the country.

    This is coming on the heels of some major successes it recorded in its anti-piracy efforts.

    The commission, which launched two separate raids on some markets in Abuja, arrested about 10 suspects and seized pirated items worth over N7 million.

    In the first operation tagged: “Kubwa Cleansing” led by the Acting Director, Enforcement, Augustine Amodu and the commission raided Kubwa and Zuba markets where pirated optical discs and other items were recovered.

    Amodu said seven suspects were arrested during the raid, while 28,000 pirated copies of optical discs, including movies and musical works were retrieved from both markets.

    In the second raid at the Durumi 1 Market, three people were arrested in connection with their alleged involvement in the illegal distribution of DSTV signal.

    They include Godwin Onyuka, Samuel Nwabueze and Onyuka’s neighbour identified as Chima.

    DSTV’s Manager, Piracy, Gozie Onumonu, who led NCC officials and armed policemen on the raid, said the main suspect, Onyuka’s offence was that he was allegedly rebroadcasting DSTV channels to over 500 households in Durumi Community and in the market and allegedly collects N1,000 per shop monthly.

    Onumonu claimed that Onyuka also collects N500 from each household that he is not giving football channels.

    “And he only pays to DSTV about N13, 000 monthly. DSTV does not give commercial package to people who do cable piracy.

    “DSTV Collective package is meant for viewing centres and hotels. It costs N13, 000 monthly and it is called commercial bouquet.

    “DSTV does not and has never given anybody any licence to rebroadcast its channels via cables. Whoever claimed to have been so authorised should produce the licence issued to him or her by the company,” the DSTV official said.

    Onyuka denied the allegation, claiming that what he does in Durumi eating place is not illegal.

    “DSTV officials came to Durumi eating place and inspected the market sometime last year. The company gave me the right to do what I am doing. An official of DSTV known as Omafo knows about this. Omafo, who is the Assistant Manager, Piracy, came with some other officials of the company; they came in DSTV’s official vehicle to inspect every shop in the market.

    “I have all the documents relating to the transaction. I will provide them at the appropriate time. The transaction, in relation to my business, was carried out at the DSTV main office at Wuse Zone 2, Abuja.

    “My decoders are registered. That was why I could link up others that were registered. DSTV is fully aware of what I am doing. I pay DSTV over N30, 000 monthly subscriptions for this commercial service. I have linked over 40 people.

    “My contract with DSTV is called DSTV Collective. Under it, the company registers some decoders with which you are allowed to connect others for commercial purposes.

    “If they do their investigation and find out that my decoders are not registered for commercial, I should be indicted,” Onyuka said.

    Nwabueze, the chairman, Durumi 1 Market Traders’ Association, confirmed that the suspect distributes DSTV services to his association’s members.

    He said over 40 members are linked by the suspect, who charges N3, 000 for connection and N1, 000 monthly subscription from those he linked. Nwabueze denied knowledge that the suspect’s operation was illegal. He said his only involvement was to assist in the collection of the monthly subscription fee from his members to the suspect to avoid disputation.

    Also speaking, Amodu expressed delight that his commission’s efforts were yielding results with the arrest and confiscation of Onyuka’s operational tools.

    “We have warned severally that the NCC will not tolerate piracy in whatever form. We have said that piracy is a cankerworm that is biting deep into the fabric of the economy of this nation.

    “We have decided to either stamp out or reduce it drastically. The NCC wishes to warn all those engaged in this form of illegal business to stop.

    “If they refuse to stop, we will surely get them, no matter where they may be in this country. Onyuka, who was arrested in Durumi, will be taken to court soon. We are committed to zero-tolerance of piracy in the country,” Amodu said.

     

  • Expert proffers solution to housing problems

    Expert proffers solution to housing problems

    Residents of the Federal Capital Territory are going through excruciating accommodation experience. Over 70 per cent of those living in Abuja have one accommodation challenge or the other.

    The FCT Administration, on the other hand, had embarked on massive demolition of estates, which has further compounded an already complex problem.

    Is there a way out of the logjam?

    The Chairman/CEO of Festrut Group, Engr. Festus U. Asikhia, whose subsidiary Festrut Global Shelter owns estates in the FCT expressed optimism that the FCT can rise up to the challenge.

    He said that if the right thing is done, the housing problem in the Capital City can be surmounted.

    He said: “The FCT Administration should have sincerity of purpose. And one of the ways to do that is to carry out feasibility studies in order to know those that have carved a niche for themselves and are doing credibly well.

    “Call them for a Town Hall meeting and ask them of their financial capacity and technical knowhow on how to provide affordable houses. Then, the FCT should carry out a Joint Venture scheme with the developers.

    “Let the FCT Administration provide the land and let the developers tell the FCT how much they can use in building a particular house. The FCT should then put a benchmark on the how much the houses should be sold since it has provided the land.

    “So, out of the sale of the houses, we are taking this amount for the land that we have provided. Then, the government would have succeeded in providing a benchmark on how much a unit of house should be sold.

    On how Festrut Global Shelter can help to provide affordable houses in the FCT, Asikhia said the company is starting a 36-month repayment plan for houses purchased by people.

    “What we do at Festrut Global Shelter is to complement housing solution in the FCT, and by extension Nigeria and beyond through promotion and development of modern estates with first-class infrastructures and facilities in communities which will guarantee adequate comfort, peace and safety for residents.

    “We are doing this in the most cost-effective and flexible manner. We are starting a scheme in Abuja and Lagos. A prospective buyer could make a 20 per cent down payment for the house and the balance is spread over 24 or 36 months. After paying 50 per cent, you move in and pay the balance as laid out. That is the scheme Festrut is putting together in this our fourth year.”

    He expressed the view that government should not regulate rent. This, he said, is because one cannot regulate what it has not contributed to.

    “Government can’t regulate house rents when they have not contributed their own quota in mass housing development. It cannot do this when they have not contributed provided shelter for the masses. You have power over what you have provided. What you have not provided, you don’t have power over it. There should be sincerity of purpose on the side of government.

    “The government should engage intelligent and vibrant professionals. They should engage people who know their onions in the sector and give them the opportunity to serve; to carry out contractual works for them. With that, government can regulate rent.

    “On the other hand, can I go and buy land at N400 million and build a house of N200 or N300 million and you will say I should follow your price tag? A whole lot of things will go wrong because some people that are used in charging exorbitant prices on houses will be affected. So, how are we going to solve it?”

    On what should be done on the issue of poor quality houses built by developers, Asikhia said the opinion that the only way government can get developers to build quality houses is through joint ventures.

    “The only way government can do a project and get standard is to hold somebody responsible. A goat put in custody of the community will die of hunger. No one will feed it. Let somebody be responsible,” he said.e rent