The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has initiated a post-development audit of satellite towns in Abuja to create an efficient database for sustainable city development.
Mukhtar Galadima, Director of Development Control at FCTA, announced the commencement of the exercise in Dawaki Satellite Town on Tuesday, stating that the audit will focus on both approved and unapproved buildings.
Mr. Galadima noted that the audit signifies the resumption of processing and granting building plan approvals in Abuja’s satellite towns.
He explained, “Satellite towns like Dawaki, where we are starting now, would begin to have engineering design. So, we are commencing the post-development audit so that those that built without approvals can now be assessed and be granted approvals if qualified.”
He highlighted that there are over 15 satellite towns, including Gwagwalada, Kuje, Karshi, Bwari, and Abaji, which will be included in the audit.
On the methodology, Galadima mentioned that the satellite towns would be divided into clusters with staff assigned to specific areas.
He added, “The staff would explain to the owners of properties in the satellite towns the modalities, the essence of the exercise and how they can benefit from it.”
Property owners will be required to submit relevant information and documents within 21 days for necessary actions in accordance with existing laws.
“In FCT, you cannot build without approval. So, if you have built without approval, furnish us with necessary information within the stipulated time. If it is something that can be done, we can approve it as built, but if it is something that we cannot approve, we will remove it,” he stated.
Galadima emphasized that the audit is essential for developing a comprehensive database of ongoing developments in the city, which will enhance service delivery and other metrics.
He noted, “This includes research on the process of developing a new capital city and at the end of the day, it is going to boost our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) profile. We have already improved on our approval granting processes.”
In a related development, the FCTA’s development control team visited the site of the demolished scavengers’ colony along the road corridor connecting Mabushi, Jahi, and Kado Districts.
Nyesom Wike, Minister of the FCT, had directed the demolition of the colony on October 10 to address recurring security concerns. Galadima explained that the minister also ordered the clearing of trees in the area and the dislodgement of scavengers.
The FCTA is currently taking inventory of all plots around the road corridor to contact their owners.
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One landowner, Mr. Kayode Olumudeji, expressed gratitude for the clearing efforts, saying, “Nobody believed that this place would look like this. I am very happy, and I want to believe that everybody that has property here will be very happy. We are happy with what Wike is doing. This is what we want to see in the FCT.”
Additionally, the FCTA has begun a post-development audit of buildings in the FCT.
Chief Felix Obuah, Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), made this announcement during the inauguration of a Ministerial Committee on Post-Development Audit of Buildings in the FCT.
He explained that the Abuja Master Plan, developed in 1979, provides a roadmap for orderly development in the nation’s capital.
Obuah stated, “The overarching goal is to build one of the most prestigious and modernist cities in the world.”
He noted that the FCTA has successfully developed various phases of the city and critical infrastructure, resulting in numerous iconic landmarks. However, he acknowledged the need for a review of the city’s development journey.
To this end, he revealed that the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike approved the formation of the committee to audit post-development building activities.
Chaired by Mukhtar Galadima, the committee is tasked with providing accurate records of development permits to reduce cases of unapproved developments and illegal land use conversions.
The committee will also gather data on the consumption of city utilities, which will help identify illegal connections that deprive the government of revenue. “This will generate billions of Naira for the FCT Administration,” Obuah added.
The committee is expected to conclude its tasks within six months, and Galadima emphasized the importance of documenting all activities related to structures and services. He expressed confidence that the committee would successfully deliver on its mandate.
