Apo mechanic relocation to finish before year-end – Wike assures

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is on track to finalize the relocation of Apo mechanic traders to their permanent site in Wasa District before the end of 2026, FCT Minister Chief Nyesom Wike revealed on Tuesday.
Speaking during a media parley at his official residence in Life Camp, Abuja, Wike explained that while basic infrastructure at the Wasa relocation site is already fully completed, the administration is finalizing a binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to resolve leadership divisions among trader associations and preserve governmental regulatory oversight.
“If we begin to give C of O directly, it becomes their property and government may not have control.
“There is a need to have an MoU so that government will also have control over it. I believe that before the end of the year, we would have sorted out the issues. Already, the infrastructure has been provided,” he stated.
Alongside the Apo mechanic update, Wike urged property owners with Area Council allocations to regularize their land titles with the FCTA, citing a Supreme Court judgment that places all FCT land authority exclusively under the FCTA.
He disclosed that over 5,000 regularizations have already been processed to grant land owners official Certificates of Occupancy (C of O), including intervention for residents of River Park Estate affected by developer disputes.
The Minister also highlighted ongoing efforts to restore public recreational spaces.
He added that plans are underway to redevelop Jabi Lake and the Life Camp Recreation Centre through public-private partnerships, backed by strict timelines to prevent land speculators from holding property idle.
Addressing security and public safety, Wike confirmed that the FCT Security Council has approved enforcement measures restricting commercial motorcycles (Okada) and tricycles (Keke Napep) within the Abuja city center.
He noted that security agencies have been tasked with mapping out high-priority enforcement zones to curb security threats and urban nuisance.
“Just this morning, I signed the approval.We agreed that it’s not just causing nuisance, but for issues of security, it has become a threat. I’ve told security agencies to map out areas where we do not need Keke Napep and motorcycles, particularly within the city center,” the Minister stated.
To further improve public safety, Wike noted ongoing clearance operations of illegal encampments near Kukwaba District and announced that a committee has been established to stop illegal street car racing in residential areas.