The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate removal of car dealership lots operating on green areas, parks and gardens across Abuja.
Wike, who expressed concern over the growing conversion of recreational spaces into commercial facilities, particularly parts of the Millennium Park and other designated green areas, directed the FCT Administration to enforce the ban without delay.
The directive, according to the FCT Administration, is also part of efforts to tackle flooding in parts of the Federal Capital City.
In a statement signed by the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the administration explained that preserving green areas and parks was important to the city’s environmental management and drainage system.
To ensure compliance, Wike has approved the establishment of a task force to monitor green areas, parks and gardens and stop their unauthorised conversion to commercial uses.
The minister also ordered an investigation into civil servants allegedly involved in granting illegal approvals for the use of green areas as car dealership lots.
Those affected include directors in the Departments of Parks and Recreation, Environmental Protection, Traffic Management and Urban Affairs.
They have been summoned by the FCT Head of Service, Nancy Sabanti Nathan, to explain their roles in the alleged issuance of the approvals.
The FCT Administration said the measures were designed to protect Abuja’s green spaces, enforce the city’s development plan and curb activities that could worsen environmental challenges, including flooding.
