By Stanley Onyekwere
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has intensified the administration’s crackdown on illegal land development, ordering the demolition of structures illegally erected on lands allocated to foreign embassies and an estate built on a designated green area in the Guzape district.
Speaking to journalists yesterday following a routine inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects across the territory, Wike expressed frustration over the blatant violation of the Abuja master plan.
He revealed that corrupt civil servants are colluding with unscrupulous developers to bypass building approval processes.
“Let us not pretend; we all know how this works, An armed robber cannot attack a place without an informant, just as kidnappers don’t act without a tip-off.
“It is not far from the truth that these developers have collaborators within various government departments” he stated.
The Minister explained that proper building approvals from Development Control require a Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O), which the illegal developers lacked.
He vowed to trace and penalize the civil servants involved, warning that the FCT Administration will not look away from internal sabotage.
Wike also issued a stern warning to developers who rely on frivolous court injunctions to stall enforcement actions, hoping for a change in administration.
“People believe that government will come and go, so they delay matters in court, hoping to return and settle with those in land administration.
We will not allow that here. We will do the right thing and withdraw whatever illicit approvals they possess,” he said.
The affected embassies have since been formally notified to reclaim and develop their lands.
Beyond enforcement, the FCT Minister brought positive updates regarding the territory’s infrastructure drive, expressing deep satisfaction with the pace and quality of ongoing road constructions.
Wike confirmed that several major road networks—designed to ease traffic and boost connectivity—will be completed and inaugurated by the end of May to mark the President’s third-year anniversary in office.
Highlighting specific milestones, Wike commended the contractors handling various critical routes such as Karsana Road being constructed by Lubrik Construction, this road will link the Renewed Hope cities to Kubwa.
Also, N16 Interchange critical interchange linking the Jahi and Gwarimpa districts, currently on track for a May handover. Airport Road to Kuje handled by Arab Contractors, the final bridge beams are currently being launched. Once completed, it will provide residents of the Kuje area council with a seamless, timely commute to the city center.
Furthermore, there is Kuje to Gwagwalada Road: A 13-kilometer stretch awarded to Gilmor Engineering. The project has been divided into two phases, with the first 7-kilometer segment expected to be handed over soon while work continues on the second phase.
“You cannot have a functional transport system without connectivity and good road infrastructure.
“The quality of work is amazing, and we are happy that the contractors are keeping to the timeline so that we are not taken by surprise.No Reoccurring Banditry in Abuja”, he stated.
Addressing recent concerns over security in the FCT’s satellite towns, Wike dismissed the narrative that the nation’s capital is under siege by bandits.
While acknowledging that isolated incidents of kidnapping have occurred—such as a recent case in Bwari—he emphasized that the victims were successfully rescued.
“I do not agree that there is reoccurring banditry in Abuja. There is no major city in the world where there is absolutely no crime.
What is important is how seriously the security agencies are responding, and as far as I am concerned, they are taking their work very seriously”, Wike clarified.
The Minister urged residents and the media to support and commend security agencies for the dozens of crimes they discreetly foil every day, rather than solely amplifying isolated incidents of kidnapping.
