A bold promise to tackle illegal construction in Abuja has been made by the Federal Capital Territory's Minister, Nyesom Wike. This pledge comes after a heated clash with Nigerian Navy officers, who allegedly obstructed an inspection of an unauthorized site.
Mr. Wike, leading officials from the FCT Development Control Department, made it clear that no one, regardless of their status, will be allowed to intimidate or blackmail the administration into turning a blind eye to unlawful development.
The controversy began when PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr. Wike had a heated exchange with naval officers over disputed land in Gaduwa. During this encounter, the minister accused the officers of attempting to intimidate FCTA officials and obstruct lawful enforcement. The officers, on the other hand, claimed they were acting on orders from a former Chief of Naval Staff.
Here's where it gets controversial: this former Chief of Naval Staff was allegedly constructing without the necessary title documents or development control approval. Mr. Wike stood firm, stating that the land had no valid allocation and that the administration would not tolerate individuals leveraging military connections to encroach on land.
He condemned the action, calling it an act of lawlessness by the Nigerian Military.
"I will not allow this illegal development and land grabbing to continue, just because the individual was a former Chief of Naval Staff. I will not succumb to blackmail or intimidation," he declared.
Mr. Wike shared with journalists that his officials had previously been chased away from the site by military personnel. He explained that he had instructed his team to ensure no construction took place without the proper legal papers and approvals.
"When they came here, I was informed that the military had chased them away. Today, I was called that the military had taken over the place, so I had to come and see for myself."
The minister questioned the involvement of armed personnel in protecting what he described as a clear case of illegal development. He emphasized that he would not be intimidated or blackmailed, especially by someone who had held such a high position in the military.
The FCT Minister confirmed that he had engaged with the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff, who assured him of their intervention and resolution of the matter.
This clampdown on illegal construction builds upon recent enforcement actions by the FCT Administration. In September, the FCTA halted construction on over 30 foundations at the controversial River Park Estate due to expired lease agreements and breaches of planning regulations.
And this is the part most people miss: a ministerial committee, inaugurated by the minister in August, recommended that undeveloped plots at the estate be reverted to the FCTA. The director of development control, Mukhtar Galadima, revealed that developers were working overnight to beat the directive.
So, what do you think? Is this a necessary step to maintain law and order in Abuja, or is it a power struggle between government entities? Let's discuss in the comments!
