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Ondo Govt Drags Developer Before Wike Over FCT Land

Published

8 months ago

September 17, 2023

The Ondo State Government has petitioned the Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike over a plot of land originally allocated to it but now allegedly being developed by a private individual.

The state government in a letter dated September 08, 2023 through one of the counsels to its Development and Property Corporation, Ojen Obase Esq. of Effiong Bob & Associates had appealed to Wike to urgently retrieve its land from the Managing Director of Frank Woopet Engineering Limited, Frank Okoye.

It said it had requested for reversal of resolutions of FCT Land Use and Allocation Committee and restore the land to its rightful owner, Ondo State Development and Property Corporation.

The letter with the title: “RE: Conveyance of Hon. Minister, FCT’s Approval of FCT Land Use & Allocation Committee’s Resolutions over Infractions of Frank Woopet Engineering Ltd on Plot No. 50 Wumba C10 District , Passionate Request for Reversal of Resolutions of FCT Land Use & Allocation Committee” which made reference to an earlier letter dated 22nd March 2023 noted among other things that, “Consequent upon their letter dated 22nd day of March, 2023, a meeting was convened by the Director of Development Control which meeting was attended to by the Director of Development Control, Frank Okoye of Frank Woopet Engineering Limited & the consultant, ALIADE Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd to our client on the 20th February 2023, wherein contending parties were asked to present title documents in which their client presented but Frank Woopet Engineering Ltd could not present documents of title, TDP/claims to having any title in or near plot 50 Wumba, C10 District.

“Despite his failure to prove his title, the said Frank Okoye has continued to develop on our client’s land even after the demolition carried out by the Department of Development Control, FCTA on the land on the 19th January, 2023 with the aim to take over the Land of Ondo State Government through members of the Land Use Allocation Committee.

“We, on behalf of our client, passionately appeal to Your Excellency to reverse the resolution of the FCT Land Use Allocation Committee and restore our client’s land to her”.

While expressing hope that its plea will be granted by the Minister, the state government wished Wike well in his desire to reposition the FCT for good.

Firm reacts

However, Okoye on his part denounced the claims, saying while he was allocated Plot 20, the Ondo corporation was given Plot 50, both for “accelerated development”.

He said he had since developed his plot and people had been living there for the past 12 years, and that the Administration had offered a compensatory plot to the corporation which it rejected.

Okoye said; “This is an old matter, since 2006. We have been to the Federal High Court twice and the court asked us to go for arbitration which we did twice.

“We were both given the plots of land for free by the FCTA to develop mass housing – accelerated development. I started in 2006 and in 2009, the then minister, Moddibo, reportedly withdrew my allocation. They never told me. They didn’t write it call me. The court asked them whether they did all these and they said no. Meanwhile, I was on site carrying out the assignment I signed up for – to develop 250 houses on a certain acreage. Of course, what I built was more than what I was given, quite alright. It was not a secret and our landlord, the FCDA, deliberated on it and said they liked my concept of not tampering with the natural habitat or turning it into a modern slum. The FCDA asked the Ondo corporation to allow me continue and that they will be given another plot.

“But of late, the Permanent Secretary who comes from the same Ondo state and was chairman of the land use allocation committee that sat on the matter and recommended to the minister that Frank Woopet be allowed to continue development, a recommendation that was approved by the immediate-past minister has now turned around after some weeks to say another thing. So, is the Permanent Secretary now countering a ministerial approval?

“I do not really know what they want because we have developed the place and people have been living there for the past 12 years. The court asked them where they were all through the years and they said they were busy doing other things. So, is it now after 15 years that they want to start a project that was tagged “accelerated development”?

“I was given Plot 20. Theirs is Plot 50. Mine was approved two weeks before theirs. They are two different plots. The FCTA has offered to give them another allocation to cover for the parts they said I encroached on but the Ondo corporation is asking for double of an allocation that the FCTA gave them free”.
VANGUARD

News

BREAKING: CBN Withdraws Circular On Cyber Security Levy

Published

10 mins ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN has withdrawn the circular directing banks and other financial institutions to implement the 0.5 per cent cyber security levy.

The withdrawal of the circular was announced via a statement signed by Haruna Mustafa, Director, Financial Policy and Regulation, Department and Chibuzo Efobi, Director, Payment System Management Department.

The circular stated: “The Central Bank of Nigeria circular dated May 6, 2024 (Ref. PSMD/DIR/PUB/LAB/017/004) on the above subject refers. ‘

“Further to this, please be advised that the above referenced circular is hereby withdrawn.”

News

JUST IN: Tinubu Appoints Spokesperson, Ngelale, As Special Envoy On Climate Action

Published

2 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has appointed his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, as Nigeria’s Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action.

This was as he established a 25-person committee to oversee the country’s green economic initiatives.

“Ngelale will serve in this role as part of a larger Presidential Committee, to be chaired by the President,” the office of the secretary to the government of the federation revealed in a statement signed Sunday by its Director of Information and Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen.

“Ngelale will retain his role as the Official Spokesperson of the President and Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity while serving on the committee,” it added.

The statement is titled, ‘President Tinubu establishes a committee to oversee green economic initiatives, appoints Chief Ajuri Ngelale as special envoy on climate action.’

Imohsien said the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions will “coordinate and oversee all policies and programmes on climate action and green economic development.”

“This is to remove the constraints to coordination, foster a whole-of-government approach to climate-action programmes, provide an efficient governance architecture, and ensure that all relevant institutions in the sector are plugged into the President’s vision and are collectively implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda on climate action,” it further explained.

The new committee which has the President as its Chairman also includes the Minister of Environment, Mr. Balarabe Lawal as its Vice-Chairman, and Mr. Ajuri Ngelale as its Secretary/Special Presidential Envoy.

Members are the CEOs of, InfraCorp, Mr. Lazarus Angbazo; National Council on Climate Change, Mr. Salisu Dahiru; Infrastructure Council Regulatory Commission, Mr. Michael Ohiani, Nigeria Investment Promotion Council, Mrs. Aisha Rimi and National Social Investment Fund, Mr. Aminu Umar-Sadiq.

The committee also consists of the CEOs of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall, Mr Yusuf Maina-Bukar, Energy Commission of Nigeria, Mr Abdullahi Mustapha; Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu; CreditCorp, Uzoma Nwagba, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Khalil Halilu Member, Solid Minerals Development Fund, Fatima Shinkafi; CBN Deputy Governor (Deputy Governor, Corporate Services Directorate) Mr Bala Bello; UN SE4ALL, Lolade Abiola; Member and an Adviser to the NCCC Adviser, Teni Majekodunmi.

Others are representatives of the Federal Ministries of FCT, Finance, Industry, Trade & Investment, Water Resources, and Agriculture & Food Security.

The committee also consists of representatives from the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigeria Customs Service.

The OSGF outlined eight objectives of the Presidential Committee. They are to:

“Identify, develop, and implement innovative non-oil & non-gas climate action initiatives.

“Coordinate all activities of relevant federal institutions towards the attainment of all agreed climate action and green economic objectives and non-oil/non-gas ambitions of the federal government.

“Collaborate with all relevant government, subnational governments, non-government, and civil society entities towards the attainment of the climate action objectives and ambitions of the federal government.

“Collaborate with national governments and multilateral institutions towards the attainment of the climate action objectives and carbon market ambitions of the federal government.

“Monitor, evaluate, and guide the progress of all climate action and renewable energy projects and activities of the federal government.

“Track and guide the implementation of initiatives and developments conducted by the Energy Transition Working Group.

“Supervise the work of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen and

“Prepare a half-yearly green ambitions update, covering all associated climate action achievements of the federal government.”

News

Hilton Expands Presence in Nigeria With Two New Hotel Signings

Published

4 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

By Tari Ayesinghan | Lagos

Hilton has announced the signing of two new hotels in Nigeria, Canopy by Hilton Lagos Victoria Island and Hilton Garden Inn Enugu.

The move marks a significant expansion of the global hospitality company’s presence in the country.

Canopy by Hilton Lagos Victoria Island will feature 176 guest rooms and suites, a rooftop bar, and a conference room.

The hotel is located in the heart of Victoria Island, with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Hilton Garden Inn Enugu will have 150 guest rooms and suites, a gym, and an outdoor pool.

The hotel is situated in the HELIU Health Tourism District & Residences, a new development that includes a hospital, shopping mall, and office park.

The two new hotels will join Hilton’s existing properties in Nigeria, Transcorp Hilton Abuja and Legend Hotel Lagos Airport, Curio Collection by Hilton.

The company has also announced plans to develop Koko Beach Resort Ilashe Lagos, Curio Collection by Hilton.

Carlos Khneisser, Hilton’s Vice President of Development for the Middle East and Africa, said: “We are excited to announce the signing of Canopy by Hilton Lagos Victoria Island and Hilton Garden Inn Enugu. These new signings reaffirm Hilton’s commitment to Africa’s hospitality sector and confidence in Nigeria as a dynamic and growing market.”

The new hotels are expected to provide guests with a unique and welcoming experience, with a focus on local culture and hospitality. Hilton Garden Inn Enugu is set to open in 2025, while Canopy by Hilton Lagos Victoria Island is expected to open in 2026.