The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a resolution urging the Federal Capital Territory to begin issuing Certificates of Occupancy to property owners located within the Mass Housing Scheme Estate.
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The motion was introduced by Hon. Sada Soli (APC, Katsina), who highlighted the legislative authority of the National Assembly over the Federal Capital Territory, as per the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
Hon. Soli emphasized that the Federal Capital Territory Administration, led by the Minister, holds specific powers as provided in Section 302 of the Constitution. He noted that the Mass Housing Scheme project, initiated in 2000, aimed to provide affordable housing through a public-private partnership policy arrangement, resulting in the development of smart estates in the Federal Capital Territory and boosting its internal revenue generation.
The motion stressed the significance of Certificates of Occupancy for property owners, citing their role in establishing legitimacy, compliance, safety, habitability, and providing protection for both landlords and tenants. Property owners within Mass Housing Scheme Estates did not have individual Certificates of Occupancy due to a common Certificate issued in favor of the entire estate, which posed potential risks and legal complications.
The House recognized that issuing Certificates of Occupancy to approximately 3,000 housing estates in the Federal Capital Territory could significantly enhance property marketability and value, contributing to internal revenue generation.
Consequently, the House mandated the Committee on Federal Capital Territory to collaborate with the Federal Capital Territory Administration to address the issues related to the absence of Certificates of Occupancy for property owners within housing estates and report back within six weeks for further legislative action.
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