-
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike orders investigation of senior officials accused of granting approvals for the conversion of parks, gardens and green areas into car dealership lots in Abuja.
-
Directors of Parks and Recreation, Environmental Protection, Traffic Management and Urban Affairs have been summoned by the FCT Head of Service to explain how the controversial approvals were granted.
-
Wike orders an immediate halt to the use of green areas, parks and gardens, including areas around Millennium Park, as car dealership lots and establishes a task force to enforce the directive.
-
The minister links the crackdown to his broader response to flooding in the capital, warning that indiscriminate development and misuse of designated spaces can worsen drainage problems.
August 19, (THEWILL) — The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has opened a fresh front in his crackdown on controversial developments in Abuja, ordering an investigation into senior civil servants allegedly responsible for granting approvals for the conversion of designated green areas into car dealership lots.
Wike’s order was disclosed on Wednesday in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka.
The order is coming barely a day after Wike launched an even more aggressive crackdown on structures built on waterways. On Tuesday, after inspecting flood-affected areas in Maitama, the minister ordered the immediate demolition of houses and other structures found to be obstructing designated water channels across the FCT.
According to Olayinka, the FCT Head of Service, Nancy Nathan, has summoned the affected senior officials to explain the circumstances surrounding the approvals.
Those summoned include the Directors of Parks and Recreation, Environmental Protection, Traffic Management and Urban Affairs.
The investigation is expected to focus on how green areas and other spaces meant for public and environmental purposes were allegedly authorised for use as car dealership lots.
The development comes amid growing scrutiny of land allocation and development control in the FCT, particularly over allegations that areas protected under Abuja’s planning framework have increasingly been converted to commercial and private uses.
READ ALSO:
If Tinubu Doesn’t Act, Abuja Will Collapse – Wike Under Fire Over Abuja Waterways
‘No Politician Will Be Spared’ – Wike Orders Demolition of Abuja Houses On Waterways
Wike Orders Immediate Shutdown Of Car Lots
Wike has also directed the immediate stoppage of the use of green areas, parks and gardens in Abuja as car dealership lots.
Olayinka said the minister had established a task force to ensure that the directive was implemented and that unauthorised activities in the affected areas were stopped.
The minister, according to the statement, expressed concern over the use of spaces designated for parks and recreation, citing the Millennium Park and other locations as examples.
“The minister decried the use of areas designated for parks and recreation like the Millennium Park and other areas as car lots,” Olayinka said.
He added that Wike had directed that all unauthorised use of such areas should be closely monitored to ensure compliance.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
