Many comments from previous episodes of this column are very germane and deserve to be shared with the other readers.
City Management and Recent Floods:
A very timely and thought-provoking piece. As planners, we must recognize that effective flood management begins with strict land-use planning, protection of drainage and utility corridors, and firm development control. Abuja’s experience reinforces the fact that once planning principles are compromised, the consequences are eventually borne by the entire city and its residents
– Munir Abubakar Labbo
Thanks for write up on “Mismanagement of Abuja–” above. I agree substantially with your submission.
However. In my opinion. Town Planners and indeed the profession has not been fighting the correct battle and educating governments and Nigerians, of its statutory responsibilities in planning and City management especially the implementation of a Master Plan such as that of Abuja, which you are an expert in.
An approved Master Plan is a STATUTORY document that officially put Town Planners in the forefront of interpreting it and providing implementation guidelines. These are responsibilities confirmed on Town Planners (in the Planning Law) and to be effectively implemented based on the establishment of fully functioning COMMISSION at national level and the state and LGA equivalent (Board and Council?).
Sadly, by not fighting to ensure the establishment of a Commission, with requisite expertise and capacity to assist the other tiers of government to effectively and statutorily develop and manage their cities, the profession has inevitably, become unable to regulate the excesses of Governors and Minister. The mismanagement of the Development of Abuja, which you brilliantly covered in your write-up is a classic example of the dilemma of Planners and Planning in Nigeria.
I watched the interview of the NITP, President on Arise TV, on the flooding in Abuja. In my view he missed the golden opportunity of leading the fight to secure and institutionalize the vital statutory function for Planners in the development and management of our towns and cities.
– Prof. Mustapha Zubairu
Cheers for always being candid about the state of affairs in the FCT and it’s immediate environs. I have in the past written about the importance of managing floods across the country. It’s like singing to deaf ears. Keep on keeping on Mallam Shuaibu. Posterity will vindicate our efforts.
– Kunle Faleti
Former FCDA Field Base: The seizing of Legacy Property:
Truly the people of Suleja are over stretched in terms of lands and landed properties, now the only available IBB University at the Suleja Field base that we the people of Suleja are enjoying some Diploma programs there, the present Niger State Government want to convert it for their personal individual use is very unfortunate and unacceptable
– Muhammad Yawa
I stand fully with you on this and the SulejaDevelopment Association on this matter. What Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago has done is a betrayal of history, trust, and public interest.
For 43 years, the Suleja community waited patiently for a promise to be fulfilled. They gave up their land, their farmlands, and even the name “Abuja” for Nigeria’s capital, with the understanding that the FCDA Field Base would be returned for their benefit. That promise was documented, fought for, and finally honored in 2007.
To now revoke that land from IBB University and hand it over for commercial use is to spit on those sacrifices. It tells the people of Suleja that their sacrifices don’t matter, and that government promises expire when it’s convenient.
The governor is wrong for 3 reasons: Breach of Trust: The Land Use Act makes the governor a trustee, not the owner, of state land. Land already allocated for public education cannot be seized for private commercial gain unless there is clear overriding public interest. There is none here.
Disregard for Due Process: A decision affecting the entire community was made without consultation, without seeking the community’s interest, and without an environmental or social impact assessment. That is not governance; it’s imposition.
Undermining Education: Suleja is the only major urban center in Niger State without its own tertiary institution. Revoking the campus now stalls the future of thousands of students who finally had access to higher education at home.
You cannot build a legacy by destroying one. If the government wants land for commercial projects, let them acquire new land and compensate properly. Don’t seize a campus that was won through decades of struggle.
I call on Governor Bago to reverse this decision immediately, respect the 2007 handover, and allow IBB University to continue serving the people of Suleja. History is watching, and the people will remember.
– Suleman Ibrahim Ndako
This is an area where our local politicians supposed to direct their attention to if truly they are patriotic instead of fighting over who will be the next leader. They won’t pay attention to this important write up rather they will take it as political witch-hunt against their master.
– Garba Ahmed
So sad. All available space have been turn for commercial activities. It’s disheartening that all the motor parks within the town were converted to shopping malls. And now turning educational facilities into commercial. So sad
-Adamu Khaleed Ahmad.
