The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has issued a warrant of arrest on the Executive Secretary of Federal Capital Development Authority (FCTA), Mr. Richard Dauda, over alleged breach of building code in the territory.
The Chairman of the committee, Mike Etaba, issued the warrant after the committee inspected a building located at Plot AO9399, Cadastral Zone, Guzape, following a petition filed by a lawmaker from Kogi State, Leke Abejide.
He also ordered the arrest of Director, Department of Development Control (FCTA), Mr. Muktar Galadima, and the Director of Regional Planning of FCT.
Etaba said the parliament was left with no option than to issue the warrant after the FCDA officials had deliberately shunned the committee’s summons.
According to him, the warrant is in tandem with the extant provisions of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act, 2017.
He said: “We had a petition that was brought before us by a Nigerian citizen in the course of investigation.
“FCDA has refused to come and tender documents necessary for us to proceed with this investigation. But for today, we have come to the site that the petition is referring to.
“We have looked at the building plans, and the engineer on site whom we met, known as Mr. Emmanuel, told the committee that there is no approved building plan with him at the moment.”
“We have looked at the structure, the landmark, the cantilever that the complainant, who is a Nigerian that has a right to his security and safety, referred to.”
“We have looked at it, and we will go back to the committee and ask for more documents, most especially the approved plan, so that FCDA will be able to explain to us the guidelines they gave for this building.”
“This will help in determining what is actually good for this site and allow the Nigerians living around here have their peace.”
“We are here to do justice to everybody.”
