A NEW era is dawning on the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), following moves by its leadership to jump-start development of districts in Phase IV of the Federal Capital City, through a new scheme known as land for infrastructure swap model.Under the new initiative enjoying patronage of property developers, the FCT Administration, using its powers under the Land Use Act, will grant land to investors for real property development and in exchange, the investor will provide specified infrastructure in the affected district.The scheme comes, as a real property development framework in which FCTA is collaborating with the private sector will deliver qualitative houses with primary infrastructure to Greenfield districts in line with the government's transformation agenda. The execution of works are expected to be in strict compliance with the scope, specifications and standard of works issued by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).Already, FCTA has commenced a pilot project in which Messrs Plethora Realty and Facility Managers Limited was granted 222-hectare of land in Caraway Dallas District. Under this arrangement, the company is to provide an integrated infrastructure worth N26 billion in the Caraway Dallas District.Senior Special Adviser on Political Matters to the Minister, Senator Jibrin Wowo, told media personnel that the scheme would interest satellite town residents as the model would be replicated in the various Area Councils by qualified developers who are interested in rural development.Wowo while fielding questions in Abuja, stressed that the FCT administration led by Senator Bala Mohammed has evolved a strategy called the 'land-swap' model to address the accommodation challenge with a view to enhance the productive capacity of the FCT residents.He said the new model offers developers' opportunity to become partners in progress in development of the Territory and expansion of the city for the benefits of Nigerians and humanity as the FCT is a host to global visitors.Wowo noted that the 'Land-swap' model is a reliable strategy for accelerated provision of the needed infrastructure on identified districts though agreement between the FCTA and financially/technically capable investors within the construction industry.'To demonstrate the commitment of the administration in this direction, the Minister has met with investors at a forum to explain the land swap model to them and that meeting was promising,' he said.He explained that when people are safely accommodated their productive capacity is increased, contending that they are psychologically balanced to face the challenges of life and their works.The Special Adviser said with the Accelerated Area Councils Titles Reissuance Scheme (AACTRIS) which was recently launched by the minister, investors' confidence have been boosted to make significant construction investments in the councils.Recently, the Minister disclosed that a framework has already been developed to ensure effective delivery of the project within the transformation period and to avoid any form of land speculation, land freezing and distortion of the Abuja Master Plan during the implementation of the scheme.He said: '15 per cent of the total project cost will be transferred into project account before the agreement commences as well as a provision that states that the sale of real property in the district will not be allowed until the developer achieves 35 percent of infrastructure works in order to ensure effective delivery of the districts.
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