The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a firm stance against a property developer, vowing to demolish all illegal constructions at the River Park Estate along the Airport Road in Abuja.
The minister issued the warning during an unscheduled inspection visit to the estate, which was prompted by petitions and growing tensions over the property’s ownership.
Addressing journalists, Wike clarified the complex legal standing of the land. He revealed that the original lease agreement between the FCT and a company, Jonah Capital Nigeria Ltd, had expired. He was particularly scathing about a third-party developer, Paulo Homes, which he stated had no legitimate business with the FCT.
“Let it be on record. They have no business with the FCT. Only the other companies have a lease agreement. Unfortunately, that lease agreement had expired by a friction of time,” Wike said.
He accused Paulo Homes of attempting to force the government’s hand by commencing rapid construction. “What one of them did, Paulo Homes did, was overnight, because he started to do construction, in order to tie the hands of the administration, which of course, you know, will not succumb to such,” he stated.
The minister confirmed he had ordered the Department of Development Control to take immediate and decisive action against the illegal structures.
However, seeking to allay the fears of innocent residents who may have purchased properties in good faith, Wike announced an intervention plan. He stated that the FCT Administration would issue new Certificates of Occupancy directly to them to legitimise their ownership.
To ensure transparency, the minister said a meeting with all residents had been scheduled for next week. “We are going to invite residents who own property here for a meeting so that we tell them what we intend to do. So there is no cause for alarm,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Wike reiterated his stance against those exploiting the system, stating, “People are going to use the government to make money. We are not saying that people should not make money, but do things in a way they supposed to be done.”
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