Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate stoppage of the use of green areas, parks and gardens in Abuja as car dealership lots.

Wike, who expressed concern over the conversion of areas designated for recreation, including the Millennium Park and other green spaces, into car lots, directed the FCT Administration to closely monitor and enforce compliance with the order.

The directive is part of measures to address flooding in some parts of the Federal Capital City, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Public Communications and Social Media.

The minister has also ordered an investigation into civil servants allegedly responsible for granting illegal approvals for the conversion of green areas to car dealership lots.

As part of the investigation, the Directors of Parks and Recreation, Environmental Protection, Traffic Management and Urban Affairs have been summoned by the FCT Head of Service, Nancy Sabanti Nathan.

Wike has further directed the establishment of a task force to enforce the directive and ensure that parks, gardens and other designated green areas are not used for unauthorised commercial activities.