The Federal Capital Territory Administration on Thursday affirmed its determination to resolve the lingering Apo Resettlement dilemma before the end of December 2012.
The Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, made this known in Abuja while inaugurating a committee to look into the complaints by the indigenes on cases of omission of allocation of houses and plots.
The new Committee is chaired by the Solicitor General, Legal Services Department, FCTA, Mrs. Helen Oloja, and has as members the Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council, Hon. Micah Jiba; Director of Resettlement and Compensation, Mr. Francis Okechukwu; Director of Urban and Regional Planning, FCDA, Alhaji Abubakar Suleiman; Director of Public Building, Mr. Eni Ugot; and Senior Special Assistant (Special Duties) to the Minister of State, Mrs. Jummai Kwanashie.
Other members include acting Director of Satellite Towns Development Agency, Engr. Tukur Ibrahim; Deputy Director, Planning and Resettlement, Mrs. Helen Obichiena; Deputy Director, Valuation and Compensation, Mr. Odebode Olusola; Deputy Director, Monitoring and Logistics, Alhaji Babakura Umar; Personal Assistant (Resettlement Matters) to the Minister of State, Mr. Ogenyi Benedict; representatives of the Minister of the FCT and the Permanent Secretary, FCTA.
Akinjide explained that the Minister of the FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, was deeply concerned about the lingering of the Apo resettlement problem since 2007, adding that the Administration would proffer a win-win solution on the matter.
She said: “It is the wish of the Hon. Minister of FCT and my goal to resolve the issue to the satisfaction of everyone before the end of December 2012. The vision of the FCTA is to provide a befitting capital and a conducive environment for the Federal Government to effectively work.
“When the Federal Government is working effectively, the FCTA will also be effective as well as the whole of Nigeria. We don’t want a resettlement issue that brings disharmony or the Administration to ridicule. We want this issue to end this year.”
Akinjide gave the committee four weeks to complete its terms of reference and submit a report on the way forward.
She listed the terms of reference of the committee members as:
* To highlight all outstanding issues affecting the Apo Resettlement Scheme;
* To look into the complaints by the indigenes on cases of omission of allocation of houses and plots;
* To identify, give accurate data on aggrieved persons and liaise with the communities in order to come up with immediate and lasting solution to the identified problems;
* To explore out of court settlement where there are litigations;
* To suggest new areas for layout plans where the affected indigenes will be resettled;
* To ensure commitment from all aggrieved parties and stockholders through direct discussions and negotiation in order to gain their confidence, and
* To consider any other matter that would assist the Administration in tackling the problems identified.
Responding on behalf of the committee members, the Solicitor General and Chairperson of the Committee, Mrs. Helen Oloja, commended the minister for her commitment towards resolving the Apo resettlement quandary.
She assured the minister that the members would work towards accomplishing the terms of reference and ultimately proffer a lasting solution on the Apo resettlement issue.
The AMAC chairman also expressed the determination of members of the committee to tackle the problem once and for all.