By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate closure of the secretariat of the dissolved Ad-hoc Committee on the Sale of Federal Government Houses in the FCT.

The directive marks the formal end of the secretariat, which had remained operational after the committee completed its assignments to deal with matters arising from its activities.

The FCT Administration, in a statement issued on Wednesday by Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, said the minister had also approved the creation of a dedicated division within the Department of Land Administration to handle the sale of Federal Government Houses in the territory.

The new division will take over responsibilities previously handled by the defunct committee.

“With the formal closure of the Secretariat, the general public is enjoined to henceforth, approach the Department of Land Administration on all issues relating to sale of Federal Government Houses in the FCT,” the statement said.

The administration explained that the secretariat had been retained temporarily after the committee completed its work to address issues arising from the committee’s activities.

Its closure now means that members of the public seeking information or assistance concerning the sale of Federal Government Houses in the FCT are expected to deal directly with the Department of Land Administration.

The FCT Administration also issued a warning over possible fraudulent activities linked to the dissolved committee.

It urged members of the public to be cautious of individuals who continue to present themselves as staff, officers or members of the former Ad-hoc Committee or its secretariat.

“Members of the public are also urged to be mindful of the antics and activities of fraudsters who parade themselves as staff, officers and members of the defunct Ad-hoc Committee/Secretariat on SFGH as the Committee and Secretariat no longer exist,” the statement warned.

The administration said the warning was necessary to prevent members of the public from falling victim to individuals attempting to exploit the former committee’s name and structure.

The development effectively centralises future administrative matters concerning the sale of federal government houses in the FCT under the Department of Land Administration.

Olayinka said the directive was approved by Wike and took effect immediately.