Speaker of House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, has inaugurated an ad hoc committee to identify, resuscitate and activate all abandoned Federal Government’s landed assets for the benefit of citizens.
Speaking at the inauguration of the House Ad-Hoc Committee on Abandoned Federal Government Landed Property in Nigeria on Tuesday, Tajudeen said that the committee was very important, as they were over 11,000 abandoned government assets across the country.
He said that the committee had the mandate to investigate the authenticity of all abandoned projects, review the defunct presidential committee report on abandoned assets and make far-reaching recommendations.
“I have no doubt in my mind that with the array of members and based on their training and integrity, there will be fairness and balance in your report.
“I urge you to do a thorough job, get relevant information to identify these landed property and make your recommendations,” he said.
Tajudeen urged all relevant agencies of government to support the committee by making available all necessary information required to do the job.
In his remarks, Chairman of the committee, Rep. Daniel Amos (LP-Kaduna), said that the mandate of the committee was not merely administrative but a solemn responsibility to the Nigerian people whose resources and heritage the assets represent.
Amos said that across the country, countless number of public properties and projects lie unutilised, under-valued or abandoned.
The lawmaker stated that assets were silent reminders of lost opportunities; opportunities for housing, revenue and national development.
“It is our duty, as representatives of the people, to reverse this trend and ensure that every public asset delivers real value to citizens,” he said.
According to him, the committee’s mandate include: identification and verification of all abandoned federal government landed properties and establishment of a centralised and reliable national database to ensure accurate documentation and institutional memory.
He said that the committee would also evaluate the financial, economic and developmental implications arsing from their abandonment and determine agencies that hold custodial or administrative responsibility for the assets.
Part of the mandate, he said, was to do an in-depth examination of the administrative, budgetary, regulatory and operational deficiencies that had impeded proper utilisation and formulation of clear and actionable strategies for the recovery, rehabilitation or productive deployment of all identified assets.
The lawmaker said that the committee was also tasked with the development of sustainable, forward-looking policy recommendations to address systemic weaknesses and prevent future occurrences.
“This committee pledges to discharge this mandate with the utmost diligence, transparency and fidelity to the public trust, ensuring that every aspect of the responsibility entrusted to us is executed with precision and integrity.
“We further commit to delivering outcomes that reflect the highest standards of legislative oversight, timely, evidence-driven and firmly anchored in the national interest.
“The work before us is not just technical, it is moral. Every abandoned property represents deferred development, lost revenue and a diminishing of public trust.
“By undertaking this assignment with diligence, fairness and integrity, we reaffirm the commitment of the House of Representatives to prudent management of national resources.
“This committee will operate with openness, professionalism and unwavering dedication to the people of Nigeria,” he said.
Amos sought for the cooperation of all stakeholders to ensure a credible and impactful process.
“Together, let us turn these dormant assets into engines of growth, sources of revenue and symbols of renewed national stewardship,” he said.
