- FCT Minister Nyesom Wike establishes a taskforce to address challenges and review the Land Swap Initiative, focusing on Certificates of Occupancy
- The taskforce, led by Michael Chinda, aims to scrutinize the initiative, considering stakeholders’ concerns and optimizing its impact
Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister, has taken a decisive step in addressing challenges surrounding the Land Swap Initiative initiated by his predecessors. The initiative, commenced in 2012, has faced setbacks attributed to various factors.
City & Crime reports that one of the prominent challenges stems from resistance to relocation by certain indigenous communities affected by the initiative, advocating for integration instead.
In response to these challenges, Wike has established a taskforce specifically tasked with scrutinizing the Land Swap Initiative, focusing on the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O). This taskforce has been granted the authority to address complaints related to the land swap.
Acknowledging concerns raised by various stakeholders about the initiative, the Minister emphasized the urgency of a comprehensive review. The taskforce, led by Michael Chinda, the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Lands, Urban and Regional Planning, has been given a two-month timeframe to conduct the review and deliver actionable results.
Wike stated, “We have had a lot of complaints about land swap. You have been mandated to look at the agreement and consider its favourability to the government.” This move reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring a thorough evaluation of the Land Swap Initiative, addressing concerns, and optimizing its impact.