The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved the withdrawal and revocation of houses sold to individuals by the FCT Administration but converted to other uses.

Mukhtar Galadima, Director, Department of Development Control, FCTA, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Friday.

Mr Galadima recalled that the federal government, in 2005, initiated the monetisation programme because of the cost of maintaining the houses.

He explained that the houses were sold to the occupiers to maintain them, but after some time, some beneficiaries converted them from residential to other uses.

“It is on this note that the minister has approved and directed that all owners of such properties should revert the use of the properties to its original and designated land use, which is residential.

“Failing to comply with this directive as from November 1, the house is considered revoked.

“We are given such persons and individuals until the end of October to revert to original uses; otherwise, from November 1, they should consider such properties as revoked and returned to FCTA,” he said.

The director said that the department has recorded more than 111 cases of land use conversion in respect of the sold houses, cutting across all the districts of the capital city.

He added that owners of the properties have been informed and given notices to revert to the original land uses but have yet to comply.

According to him, once the houses are revoked, the FCTA will decide the next line of action.

“The minister has also directed that owners of properties, particularly along major streets that have converted their properties to other uses without approval should either revert to original use or pay contravention charges.

“Anyone that fails to comply with such a directive, the administration will take appropriate action, which may include revocation,” he said.

(NAN)