The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has directed the demolition of an illegal residential estate constructed on land originally designated for Park and Recreation in Guzape, Abuja, vowing that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will strictly enforce the city’s master plan.
The minister issued the directive on Monday during an inspection tour of ongoing infrastructure projects across the territory, where he discovered that the land allocated for recreational purposes had been unlawfully converted into a housing estate.
Expressing strong disapproval over the development, Wike stated that the FCTA would revoke any approvals granted to the developer responsible for the illegal project and proceed with the demolition of all structures on the site.
“This place was allocated for Park and Recreation, not for residential development. Nobody will allow that to stand,” the minister said while addressing officials during the inspection.
According to him, the illegal buildings have already been marked for demolition, emphasizing that the administration will not tolerate deliberate violations of land-use regulations or any attempt to undermine Abuja’s carefully designed master plan.
Wike noted that some developers deliberately exploit bureaucratic loopholes in government processes, hoping that administrative changes would allow them to regularise illegal developments over time.
“People assume that governments will come and go and that they can continue doing whatever they like until someone eventually approves it. That will not happen under this administration. It does not matter who is involved; we will always do the right thing,” he stated.
The minister also referenced a recent enforcement exercise carried out by the FCTA, during which structures built illegally on plots originally allocated to foreign embassies in Abuja were demolished.
He revealed that the administration had since written to the affected diplomatic missions, urging them to reclaim their plots and begin development in line with their official allocations.
Wike acknowledged that some unauthorized developments sometimes occur with the collaboration of insiders within government agencies. However, he stressed that the administration would continue to investigate such irregularities and ensure accountability where necessary.
“For development control to approve any building plan, the applicant must present a valid Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O). If there is no C-of-O, the question becomes: how was the approval granted? These are some of the issues we are addressing,” he explained.
Despite the enforcement actions, the minister clarified that the primary purpose of the inspection tour was to assess the progress of several major road projects across the FCT, many of which are expected to be commissioned during the third anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Among the projects inspected was the road network linking Renewed Hope City in Karsana to Kubwa, being executed by Lubrik Construction. Wike expressed satisfaction with the level of progress on the project, noting that the contractor appears to be on track to complete the work as scheduled.
He also inspected the N16 interchange connecting Jahi and Gwarimpa, describing the quality of work on the project as impressive and expressing confidence that it would be completed before the end of May.
The minister further visited the ongoing Airport Road–Kuje highway project being handled by Arab Contractors, where construction crews are currently installing the final beam of a major bridge along the route. According to him, the project will significantly enhance access to Kuje Area Council and surrounding communities, making transportation easier for residents.
Another project inspected during the tour was the 13-kilometre road linking Kuje to Gwagwalada, which is being constructed by Gilmore Construction. Wike explained that the project was divided into two segments of approximately 6.5 kilometres each. While the contractor has pledged to complete the first segment soon, work continues on the second phase.
Reaffirming the administration’s infrastructure priorities, the minister emphasized that road development remains a key component of the FCT’s transportation strategy.
“You cannot have an effective transportation system without proper connectivity and a reliable road network. Once you have strong road infrastructure in place, movement becomes easier and the entire transport system functions more efficiently,” Wike said.