ABUJA – The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has assured indigenes of Abuja that the Land Swap policy introduced by the administration would address issues of their resettlement.
Mallam Yahaya Yusuf, the Director of Development Control, FCTA, said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Yusuf said the policy would also encourage private funding of infrastructure in the territory.
“The policy, as initiated by the FCT minister, Alhaji Bala Mohammed, involves granting of greenfield land to competent real estate practitioners, who will in turn provide infrastructure such as roads and electricity.
“This policy is expected to bring in billions of Naira from banks in and outside the country and generate over one million jobs for unemployed Nigerians,’’ he said.
Yusuf said the policy was globally accepted for urban development, adding that indigenes of Abuja had accepted it as an alternative means of addressing issues of resettlement.
“Funding for resettlement of indigenes will also become more accessible through the private investors.
“It has been adopted during period of rapid urban development by many European countries. It is also endorsed by the world Bank as suitable for any country experiencing budget crisis,’’ he said.
Yusuf said traditional rulers in the territory had endorsed the policy and it had gone a long way to make it acceptable to the indigenes.
“The Land Swap policy will be beneficial to them. They will be the major beneficiaries in the jobs that would be created,’’ the director said.
