FCT Minister Nyesom Wike allocates lands to traditional rulers, waives statutory fees, and pledges utility vehicles to support their roles in local governance
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has allocated lands to members of the FCT Council of Traditional Rulers and waived all statutory fees for their land titles.
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The ceremony, held in Abuja on Friday, also saw Wike announce that the fee waiver 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?” Wike said.
The minister commended the traditional rulers for ensuring the “most peaceful” Area Council elections in FCT history.
To support their work, he also pledged to provide utility vehicles to all traditional rulers, saying the vehicles would help them perform their duties effectively.
Wike highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects in satellite towns, including 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, the minister stressed that it would be unfair to expect traditional rulers to pay for land they have inhabited for generations.
“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,” he added.
The Ona of Abaji and Chairman of the Council, Adamu Yunusa, expressed gratitude to the President and the minister, pledging continued support from traditional institutions for government policies.
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The decision underscores the federal government’s ongoing engagement with traditional institutions, which serve as key intermediaries between authorities and residents, helping maintain order in elections and land administration.
