The accidental public servant – TRIBUTE (II)

The positions of all utilities and underground services were clearly depicted in the development regulations for the Central Area Phase II as produced by the AIMS Consultants. Thus, unlike all other districts of the city, each plot in the Phase II of Abuja Central Area District has its specific development requirements. For example, while Plot 597 is earmarked for Hotel, plot 598 is for Night School, plot 599 for utilities, Plot 600 for Church, plots 601 and 602 are for transit Railway Park. Unfortunately, undue influence was exercised to approve the unethical allocation of all the five plots, 598 to 602 as extensions to the Bolingo Hotel.
In Development Control, land use requirement takes precedence over the purpose clause. Due to the wider implications for the whole district, the Control Department resolved to remove the fence work around Plot 599.
Soon after the demolition of the fence on 26th September 2000, which took the Hotel management by surprise, almost all the entire staff of the hotel were mobilized against us. Notwithstanding the security personnel attached to the operation, we were physically manhandled and prevented from leaving the site, our vehicles were seized and plate numbers removed. We were released when they sensed that one of our vehicles escaped and there was the possibility of security reinforcement.
Two days later Late Chief Igweh came to our office and tendered a verbal apology, but he was told to submit a written apology for record purposes. Unfortunately, while waiting for letter of apology what we received was a protest letter. We made a submission for a comprehensive report and recommended that all those plots wrongly allocated be revoked and reverted for their original uses, and the authority to institute a legal action against the Bolingo Hotel.
The series of wrongful allocations, purportedly as extensions to the Bolingo Hotel and the violation of land use regulations around the hotel spanned through five FCT ministers’ tenures. It was Malam el-Rufa’i that finally approved and implemented our recommendations with his Task Force on Master Plan Implementation. If we had many of such earlier recommendations decisively being addressed, we would have prevented the consequences of many land use violations in the City. One of such was the allocation of the space meant for transportation center for the development of the existing NNPC Mega Petroleum Filling Station in the Central Area. The development was commenced and completed before el-Rufa’i’s tenure. When we stopped the development at the initial stage, we were reported as being against the program of the Federal Government. Presently, we are living witnesses to the complete blockade of the N1 Arterial anytime there is fuel scarcity.
On Chapter Eleven of the book, there is a sub-title “The Rules Apply – Even to the PDP Chairman”. It reminded me of our encounter with another PDP Chairman, who was a Bauchi State Governor during the el-Rufa’i’s tenure. This episode was not mentioned in “The Accidental Public Servant”, perhaps, because the author forgot its significance.
About two months to our retirement from the service of the FCDA in 2004, I was summoned around 4.00 pm by Mr. Ogunmola my Director. Upon entering his office, I recognized the person with him as Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu. The Director told me that Mu’azu came in connection with his application for building plans approval of his proposed office complex development in the Central Area.
When I saw the plot number I knew that there is going to be trouble, because that was almost the fifth application for the approval of that plot. Previously, we don’t know the owner. We turned down the applications because the plot is designated for power transformer station not commercial development. Notwithstanding, the Governor’s presence, I sought for their permission and brought the Central Area Green book of AIMS Consultants which specified the real land use, at the same time, I reminded the Director the plot’s history. I was not surprised when the former governor responded that he was aware of the situation and my roles in all those previous attempts. However, he insisted that whatever we could do to assist he will appreciate. I told him that what he wants from us was beyond our powers.
Two weeks later, one early morning my Director called me to express his gratitude for guiding him; because he was summoned by the Minister in connection with our refusal to approve the Adamu Muazu’s application, only God knows what was reported to him. When he explained the reason, rather than sanctioning as the applicant would want, the Director told me, that the Minister, Malam el-Rufa’i thanked him for defending the Abuja master plan.