Abuja – October 07, 2023 – Viewpoint Housing News.
Our Stand (90) –
According to the United Nations, Abuja grows at an annual rate of 139.7% between the year 2000 and 2010, making it the fastest growing city in the world. The 35% lower growth rate in 2015 still made it the fastest growing city in Africa. This calls for, not only a correspondence rate of the development of durable infrastructure, but a maximization of the existing ones while stepping up the provision of ancillary facilities, utilities and services. The required feat can only be mustered through engagement of private sector participation and funding in order to match the pace.
The land Swap programme developed by the FCT Administration is aimed at granting a percentage of a given land to capable and competent investors in exchange for the complete provision of infrastructure in the total land area in line with the land use proposal of the Master plan and FCDA Infrastructure standards. It also entails resettlement and compensation for settlements, economic trees and crops found within such land areas also in line with the FCTA programme and procedures all at no cost to the Administration. The land Swap initiated by the FCT has a vehicle to achieve the Former President Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda in Abuja. It will provide at least 10 new districts by 2015. It will open new districts by providing access to new districts.
Basically, under the land Swap model, the developers must provide nine primary infrastructures. They have to provide: the detailed district design and the bill of engineering, agreed kilometres of roads of varying specified sizes within the district, agreed kilometres of storm water drains, agreed kilometres of foul water drains, agreed kilometres of water distribution lines, agreed kilometres of streetlighting lines, agreed kilometres of telecommunication duct and agreed number of mini-sewage treatment plants.
Furthermore, the developer is required to deliver a business plan that shows its technical capacity, financial capability and managerial competency. A modern capital city in line with 21st century must be one with state-of-the-art infrastructure -roads, water supply, underground electrical and sewage connections, telecommunication, health, education, recreation and security facilities and many more. Building this kind of city requires huge financing which many governments are unable to provide. Yet, creating mega cities with functional infrastructure is the ambitions of any government and nation. This is why many smart governments all over the world are looking to the private sector for a partnership that can deliver quality infrastructure and a better life for their citizens.
Through the land Swap initiative of the FCDA,hopes to address the acute Infrastructure deficit in the nation’s Capital city and save it from growing into slum.At present, many districts in phases two and three of the city lack proper infrastructure such as: roads, housesand other public facilities has been reported in some districts in the city where government could not provide adequate infrastructure before houses were constructed. From 1975 when the idea was conceived till date, Abuja has been an unfolding story of unity, beauty, business and power. We call on the Minister of the FCT under the leadership of Wike, to revisit the land Swap programme to fast track the development of Abuja as the fastest growing city in Africa, doing that will create job opportunities to Nigerians.
