Reps probe FCT land allocation

Reps probe FCT land allocation
 1
By Our Reporter  on October 30, 2015   National
•Seek upgrade of special education college to varsity
From Kemi Yesufu and Fred Itua, Abuja
The House of Representatives yesterday condemned the mismanagement of lands by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Ministry even as it resolved to probe land allocation in the territory.
 This resolution followed the passage of a motion sponsored by Emmanuel Ekon and Uzoma Nkem Abonta.
 The lawmakers observed that the neglect, failure and refusal of the FCT Ministry and its agencies to transparently manage land allocation had encouraged  speculators to keep lands undeveloped for several years so as to appreciate in value and thereafter, sell them at exorbitant prices.
 Speaking on the motion, Ekon said if the practice was not checked, the efforts of government to address the housing needs of the residents of the FCT will continue to  be frustrated by land speculators to the detriment of Nigerians.
 Yesterday, the House  also mandated   its committee on Tertiary Education and Services to liaise with National Universities Commissions (NUC) to kick-start the upgrading of the Special  College of Education, Oyo State to the status of  a university.
 The lawmakers urged the committee to speed up action on the  process as there was  no other university in Nigeria equipped to educate students with special needs.
 The decision of the lawmakers followed the adoption of a motion by Akeem Adeniyi Adeyemi (Oyo State), who urged that the  college of Education  be upgraded to university status in order to ameliorate the suffering of students with special needs.