The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate closure of the Secretariat of the dissolved ad hoc committee on Sales of Federal Government Houses (SFGH) in the territory.
The directive, announced on Wednesday, is part of the minister’s latest administrative measures to streamline the handling of transactions involving Federal Government Houses in the FCT and to eliminate confusion over the agency responsible for such matters.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike also approved the creation of a dedicated division within the Department of Land Administration to take over issues relating to the sale of Federal Government Houses previously handled by the defunct committee.
The ad hoc committee was constituted to undertake assignments relating to the sale of Federal Government Houses in the FCT.
Following the completion of its mandate, however, its Secretariat was retained temporarily to attend to outstanding issues arising from the committee’s activities.
The minister has now directed that the Secretariat be formally closed, bringing its operations to an end.
With the development, members of the public seeking information or assistance concerning the sale of Federal Government Houses in the FCT have been directed to approach the Department of Land Administration.
The FCT Administration also warned members of the public to be wary of individuals who may attempt to exploit the transition by posing as officials, staff or members of the dissolved committee or its former Secretariat.
According to the statement, neither the Ad-hoc Committee nor its Secretariat exists any longer, and anyone claiming to represent either body is acting fraudulently.
The latest directive is expected to provide a clearer institutional framework for the management of Federal Government houses in the FCT while reducing the possibility of multiple points of contact and fraudulent dealings with prospective applicants and other members of the public.
Olayinka urged the public to deal only with the appropriate department of the FCT Administration on all matters relating to the sale of Federal Government Houses.
‘The general public is hereby enjoined to henceforth approach the Department of Land Administration on all issues relating to the sale of Federal Government Houses in the FCT,’ the statement said.
The directive, Olayinka said, takes immediate effect.