Workers at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) have raised the alarm over an alleged plot to take over portions of government land within the Radio House complex in Abuja, calling on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, to urgently intervene.
The concerned staff, in a petition signed by Nicholas James and addressed to the FCT Minister, alleged that influential individuals were using connections in government circles to convert parts of the iconic Radio House premises for private commercial purposes under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
The workers warned that the development, if allowed to proceed, could compromise the integrity of one of Abuja’s most prominent government landmarks.
“The iconic government building, Radio House in Area 10, is on the verge of being destroyed by some powerful private greedy faceless individuals riding on the heels of a willing civil servant or government appointee who claim to have the Minister of Information backing,” the petition stated.
According to the workers, a retired FRCN staff member, allegedly working with serving officials, is behind moves to take control of lands surrounding the complex for personal gain.
“It is no longer news within the Radio House community where a parastatal of government through a retired staff in Federal Radio of Nigeria Corporation is trying to usurp the power of a substantive ministry by taking over the lands around the iconic Radio House building for pecuniary benefits,” the letter alleged.
The petitioners further claimed that portions of the land had allegedly been earmarked for private developments, including an event centre and other commercial facilities.
They also expressed concern over the reported relocation of a mosque within the premises to a location close to a church, warning that such action could threaten the religious harmony that has existed within the complex.
“Right now, he had started the relocation of the mosque from its present location to a place near the church building without considering religious harmony with serious future backlash,” the workers alleged.
The staff maintained that the proposed projects failed to address the already inadequate parking space within the complex and could worsen traffic and operational challenges for workers and visitors.
They also warned of possible security implications, noting that Radio House shares a boundary with the Army Headquarters.
“The proposed structures by this civil servant and his co-travellers will be a security breach as the Radio House shares boundary with the Army Headquarters,” the petition added.
The workers further claimed that existing restaurants serving staff and visitors may be demolished under the arrangement, despite agreements requiring operators to maintain the facilities and pay annual ground rents.
Appealing directly to Wike, the workers urged him to stop what they described as a “selfish adventure” and protect a national asset from being turned into a private commercial venture.
“Subsequently, we beseech the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike, CON, to urgently intervene by nipping in the bud this selfish adventure to a national treasure in the FCT bordering the Nigeria Army Headquarters Abuja,” the petition stated.
Efforts to obtain official reactions from the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and the management of FRCN were unsuccessful as of press time. The allegations contained in the petition remain claims by the petitioners and have not been independently verified.
