Information reaching 247ureports.com from competent sources within the administrative blocks of the Federal Capital Territory [FCT] suggests that the newly appointed minister of the FCT, Malam Bello may be caught up in a new bribe scandal with cooperation of the Abuja development control body – that checks and regulates the development of the FCT.
According to the information reached, the new FCT Minister in tandem with his new political group assembled shortly after his appointment – swooped into action to begin an aggressive capital generation scheme for the FCT Minister. One of the schemes involved closing up business premises under the guise of controverting FCT developments codes. The business owners would then be asked to pay “fines” to a particular account set up solely for the collection of these ‘fines’ – which are disguised bribes. The said fines are not remitted to the government purse.
One of the many areas where the FCT minister had executed the bribe scheme is the Garki/Wuse Axis along the Ahmadu Bello Way – Business premises located along the both sides of Ahmadu Bello Way were locked up by the agents of the Minister – citing that the businesses had violated development codes – and that the businesses were not supposed to face Ahmadu Bello Way. Many of the Banks and other many businesses premises were locked up. Many of the customers were left hanging around the street wondering what to do next.
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When the managers and owners of the locked businesses approached the Federal Capital Development Agency for the reasons why their businesses were shut, the agency cited the development codes. However as the managers and owners cited other codes which may have vindicated them, the agency made it clear that each of the business owners or managers MUST ‘settle’ the Minister’s office in order to reopen their various businesses. The managers of H-Medix, a super pharmaceutical market were told to pay a sum in excess of N5million – while EcoBank were told to pay the same. In total, over 40 affected businesses were told to pay over N5million each before their businesses will be allowed to reopen. Already, many have paid. The likes of United Bank of Africa [UBA] have paid the said sum – and has seen reopened their doors to customers.
As at Thursday May 5, 2016, the affected businesses has had theirs doors locked by the FCT Minister.
When 247ureports.com visited the office of the FCT Minister, the media agents named ‘John’ redirected our reporter to an Acting Director in FCDA. The Acting Director – who was said to be responsible for Development regulation – refused to attend to our reporter’s inquiry.
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Stay tuned to this developing story.
