By Sarah NEGEDU
The Metropolitan Management Council, AMMC, has decried the constant violation of building rules and regulations by recalcitrant developers, warning that such actions have dire consequences on the well-being of the city.
Coordinator of the agency, Tpl. Umar Shuaibu, who made the remark at a news conference in Abuja, said the actions of some developers jeopardise town planning procedures put in place to ensure a well secured and socially organised city.
He said that the Department of Development Control has however, in so small measure, contributed to ensuring compliance with the standard and regulations for building Abuja.
“It is worrisome to note that while the department has simplified the procedure and processes for granting building permits, there are many recalcitrant developers that always refuse to abide by the set rules and regulations.
“The first and most important procedure in the process of building plan approval is the confirmation of tittle document and land ownership submitted by the developer. This usually become a major source of hindrance to the development of many plots in the city,” he said.
The coordinator therefore, urged intending developers to be sure that there are no contending issues surrounding plot ownership before granting a development permit.
“Unfortunately, out of desperation or treachery on the part of some developers, our staff, in the course of ensuring due process and fairness in handling ambiguous matters, become victims of unwarranted harassment with framed-up charges against them by some dubious and recalcitrant developers.”
He called on security agencies to always dig and thoroughly investigate matters from relevant FCT agencies before prosecution on any complain on land matters.
