Nigerian Senate said it would legislate against the high cost of accommodation in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, saying that the city is not meant for the rich alone.
Chairman of Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Abubakar Kyari stated this at an interactive session of the Committee with FCT Minister, Mohammed Sani Bello in Abuja.
Kyari lamented that the cost of living in Abuja has become very unaffordable to the people who have low-level income, saying that originally, the capital city was designed to accommodate all, including the poor.
He charged the Minister to halt the high cost of accommodation and land title in the city.
“FCT is not for the rich alone, but a centre of peace and unity and there should be transparency and accountability in the allocation and revocation of land titles.
“Senate would cooperate with FCT to legislate against the high cost of living because what we are having now is that the city has become highly unaffordable for some category of Nigerians to live”
Kyari insisted that Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory must complement the FCT in embarking on infrastructure at their levels.
He lamented that the reverse seems to be the case as there are cries of councils’ neglect of rural dwellers across the six area councils.
He added that: “Residents complain of lack of road, health care centres, clean water and education (over one hundred pupils in a class).”
He said the leadership of the FCT at various levels should expedite actions to check the security challenges.
“The minister should ensure that street lights are working in order to prevent the high rate of crime and accidents at night.
“Abuja by its conception and design is expected to be a safe haven for all residents considering its status as the seat of the Federal Government,” Kyari said.
His Committee, he said, is “mindful of the traffic congestion in the FCT. Tales of hours spent in traffic by commuters cannot be over-emphasised.”
He asked the minister to ensure that Abuja attains its status as the pride of Nigeria’s capital.
He said his Committee will cooperate with the FCT leadership to come up with legislation that will help in the development of the city.
The FCT Minister, Bello in his remark said his administration was making efforts to ensure the needed development of the capital city.
The Minister said he understood that one day his tenure will come to an end like any other public office holder, noting that he would not leave any stone unturned to enhance the development of the city while seeking for full support of the lawmakers.
Bello was accompanied by the FCT Minister of State, Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, the six Area Council Chairmen, Permanent Secretary and other officials of the FCT.
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