The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has allocated lands to members of the FCT Council of Traditional Rulers and announced a waiver of all statutory fees for their land titles. The ceremony took place in Abuja on Friday.
Wike said the gesture aligns with directives from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “We cannot deny the fact that there are indigenous people who were here before the creation of the FCT. The President said we must extend a hand of fellowship to you. We must give honour to whom honour is due. If those who make peace cannot be appreciated with land, who should be?” he stated.
The minister praised the traditional rulers for ensuring what he described as the “most peaceful” Area Council elections in the territory’s history. He also pledged to provide utility vehicles to all rulers to support them in carrying out their duties.
Highlighting ongoing infrastructure projects, Wike mentioned the dualization of the Airport-Kuje road, the Bwari-Zuba link road, developments in Apo/Karshi and Basan Jiwa, and the completion of the Arab Road network. On the fee waiver, he explained, “The president has also said I should waive the payment of statutory fees. We cannot give you the task to go and look for money to pay.”
The Ona of Abaji and Chairman of the Council, Adamu Yunusa, thanked the President and the minister, assuring continued support from traditional institutions for government policies. The move reflects ongoing collaboration between the federal government and traditional authorities in governance and community leadership in the FCT.
