The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has presented land allocation documents to members of the FCT Council of Chiefs and announced a waiver on all statutory fees attached to the titles.
Gatekeepers News reports that the development was disclosed in a statement by Wike’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, following a meeting with traditional rulers in Abuja on Friday.
According to the statement, the minister said the decision was taken on the directive of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We cannot deny the fact that there are indigenous people who were here before the creation of the FCT,” the statement reads.
“The president said we must extend a hand of fellowship to you. If those who make peace cannot be appreciated with land, who should be?”
Speaking on the waiver of statutory fees, Wike said it would be unfair to require traditional rulers to pay for land their communities have occupied for generations.
He explained that the move was intended to strengthen ties between the government and indigenous authorities in the territory.
The minister also noted that although the legal framework governing the FCT does not always recognise original ownership, the administration of President Tinubu acknowledges the historical presence of indigenous residents.
Wike commended the traditional rulers for their role in ensuring what he described as the most peaceful area council elections ever held in the territory. He also promised that utility vehicles would be provided to the monarchs to support their work and further deepen collaboration with the government.
In addition, the minister highlighted several infrastructure projects in satellite towns expected to be commissioned in June. They include the Airport–Kuje road dualisation, ongoing work on the Bwari–Zuba link road, the Apo/Karshi and Basan Jiwa projects, as well as the Arab Road network.
Responding, the chairman of the FCT Council of Chiefs and Ona of Abaji, Adamu Yunusa, thanked the president and the FCT minister for the gesture and pledged the continued support of traditional institutions for the administration’s policies.
