The Suleja Development Association (SUDA) has protested against an alleged plan by the Niger State Government to convert the former Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) Field Base in Suleja into a market.
The protest was held on Thursday at the field base, which had been proposed for development as a campus of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) University, Lapai.
Addressing journalists at the site, SUDA Chairman, Prof. Suleiman Abdul, said the association rejected the proposed conversion, citing the historical importance of the property and its potential contribution to the educational development of Suleja.
According to Abdul, the field base was established in 1977 as an operational base for FCDA personnel involved in the development of Abuja, the Federal Capital City.
He said the land originally formed part of the ancestral farmlands of Suleja’s indigenous people, who, he claimed, surrendered it in support of the development of Nigeria’s new capital.
“We are not opposed to development. We recognise the responsibility of government to provide infrastructure and promote economic development.
“But any decision concerning the field base should reflect the historical circumstances surrounding its acquisition and the legitimate expectations of the Suleja community,” he said.
Abdul said the property was formally handed over to the Niger State Government on Oct. 30, 2007, at the Palace of the Emir of Suleja, following efforts by community representatives, particularly SUDA, to secure it for communal use.
He added that the property was later allocated to IBB University for educational purposes, a move he said was welcomed by residents.
However, he expressed concern over the reported revocation of the university’s allocation and the alleged plan to establish a market on the site.
“We have more than enough markets in Suleja which are grossly underutilised, but ours is the only major urban centre in Niger that cannot boast of a single tertiary institution,” Abdul said.
He questioned the rationale behind establishing another market instead of using the property to provide a tertiary institution for Suleja’s youths and future generations.
The SUDA chairman said the association had written to the Niger State Government requesting dialogue and an opportunity to present its concerns but claimed that it received no response.
He further alleged that the government later invited representatives of the Suleja Emirate Council and other stakeholders to discuss the proposed market without inviting SUDA.
Abdul said the meeting ended without a final agreement, with further consultations expected.
He also alleged that the government subsequently directed occupants of the field base to vacate the premises to make way for the proposed market.
He said SUDA would continue to pursue the matter through lawful means while remaining open to peaceful engagement with the government.
Also speaking, SUDA Public Relations Officer, Shuaibu Umar, said the association had been involved in efforts to secure the property for Suleja’s development for several years.
Umar described SUDA as an apolitical organisation comprising members from different political parties who unite on issues affecting the development and interests of Suleja.
He recalled Suleja’s contribution to the development of Abuja, saying the community had made significant sacrifices during the process and expected the field base to be used for its development.
“There was a promise that if the administration moved to the city, because of the sacrifice of ceding the land and the name, this property would be left for the development of the community,” he said.
Umar added that SUDA had documents supporting its position and urged the Niger State Government to consult further with the Suleja community before taking any final decision on the property.
