The FCT Administration is working on a blueprint to make all official transactions to be more business friendly in line with international best practices.
FCT Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello, made this revelation today when members of the Real Estate Development Association of Nigeria (REDAN) visited him in his office at Area 11, Garki I District, Abuja,
He reiterated that the processes for approvals for all transactions in the FCT Administration, including land allocations would be drastically improved.
His words: “Our process of approvals for all transactions, not necessarily land, would be improved in line with the internationally best practices.”
According to him, “as you know, if you look at the World Bank index of doing business the World over, Nigeria is now ranked around 189 in the index of a number just slightly hovering around 200 and we are determined to reverse the trend for good”.
“As a government, we want, within the very shortest possible time – this year as a matter of fact – to move that index upwards by 20 points, so that instead of 189, we want by January of 2017, if there is a survey, Nigeria should be 169 and we keep on improving,” he added.
Bello emphasized, “The feedback I received is that they are being improved upon. But we are working to do more. Any input you bring will be very useful”.
“I’m going to partner very closely with you, together with my colleague, the Permanent Secretary here to be able to gradually build on what we have,” he assured.
The Minister remarked that his Administration is poised to put Abuja on the right track to make it a first class city where everything works and also for the investors to feel more comfortable to invest.
He further assured that FCT Administration under his watch would continue to partner with reputable organizations to take the Territory to greater heights.
Speaking earlier, the National President of Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria, Surveyor Ugochukwu Chime called for the fast tracking of approval of estate development in the Territory.
He noted that his Association has contributed enormously towards the reduction of housing deficit in the country, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory and promised to continue along that line.
The FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye and other top officials of the FCT Administration joined the Minister in receiving the delegation.
