Abuja illegal parks operators under searchlight

Abuja illegal parks operators under searchlight …as FCTA begins revalidation of titles Okechukwu Jombo Worried by the activities of those it described as illegal operators of parks and those misusing open space in the Federal Capital Territory , the FCT administration has directed a revalidation and recertification of all existing parks and gardens in the nation’s capital. The move, according to the Chairman of a Committee set up to carry out the exercise, Barnabas Atiyaye was also informed by the need to provide adequate security for lives and properties in the FCT as most of the parks are being used for purposes other than they were designed for. He stated this in Abuja recently at a meeting with owners and operators of parks and gardens in the FCT during which he noted that the FCT administration was fed up of illegal operators of parks. His words: “It is revalidation of open space and parks in the FCT. Government wants to undertake the exercise because of the misuse of parks, and two, it has also been identified that there are some people who are operating illegally. The purpose is to identify those genuinely allocated parks in the FCT. We want to do away with those people that are operating parks illegally. By this, we therefore, eradicate illegal operators of parks. We also want to cross check whether these parks are used for the purposes they have been allocated and if they are not then there would be penalty for that”. He said after the verification, all plots discovered to have been converted to other use will be revoked. Atiyaye however said all genuine title holders will be issued a certification letter after the exercise while a comprehensive report of the exercise will be given to the FCTA for appropriate action. He added that the exercise is aimed at ensuring that all parks operators in the city adhere to stipulated guidelines on the operation of park in the city. The Chairman said all parks operators coming out for the exercise are to pay a non-refundable fee that will be based on the size of the plot for the verification exercise.