A group, Arewa Think Tank has commended the Director of Lands, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Mr Chijioke Nwankoeze, for his commitment to professionalism and orderly land administration in Abuja.
The groupâs convener, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, made the commendation while reacting to recent criticisms directed at the FCT director, urging stakeholders to allow public officials entrusted with sensitive responsibilities to discharge their duties in accordance with established laws and government policies.
Yakubu said land administration in the Federal Capital Territory required transparency, firmness and strict compliance with planning regulations, particularly to preserve the Abuja Master Plan.
He described Nwankoeze as a professional public servant who had demonstrated a commitment to ensuring due process in land administration and development matters.
âThose saddled with the responsibility of managing land in the Federal Capital Territory must be prepared to enforce the rules. The fact that an official insists on compliance with established procedures should not automatically be interpreted as misconduct or an attempt to frustrate legitimate interests,â he said.
The convener urged individuals, groups and civil society organisations with complaints against public officials to rely on facts and documentary evidence and use appropriate institutional channels to seek redress.
He cautioned against campaigns capable of distracting public institutions from their responsibilities or unnecessarily damaging the reputation of individuals serving the public.
Yakubu stressed that accountability and constructive criticism remained essential to good governance, but said allegations against public officials should be based on verifiable facts and subjected to proper investigation.
âWe support transparency, accountability and constructive criticism. However, allegations against public officials should be supported by evidence and subjected to proper investigation. The media should not become a substitute for established investigative and regulatory processes,â he said.
Yakubu said protecting the Abuja Master Plan was in the interest of all Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic, political or regional affiliation, describing its preservation as a collective responsibility.
He called on relevant authorities to objectively investigate any genuine petition or complaint against public officials, saying due process remained the best way to establish the facts and protect both public institutions and individuals from unfounded allegations.
Yakubu added that the development of Abuja required cooperation among residents, stakeholders and government agencies to promote sustainable growth and orderly urban planning.
