The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday directed the Department of Development Control and the Department of Lands to identify and remove all illegal structures along the Southern Parkway corridor in Abuja.
Wike issued the directive during the flag-off of the construction of the Southern Parkway Service Carriageways in Gaduwa District, warning that the Federal Capital Territory Administration would not tolerate encroachment on government land or violations of the Abuja Master Plan.
The minister expressed concern over what he described as growing cases of land grabbing and unauthorised developments in the territory, saying individuals occupying lands without valid allocation documents and carrying out construction would face demolition.
He directed the Acting Director of Development Control to work with the Director of Lands to identify and remove all illegal structures within the project corridor.
“All these land grabbers who have started developing land that was not allocated to them should know that those structures will go down. Heaven will not fall. Heaven will be at peace when things are done properly,” Wike said.
According to him, the FCT Administration has observed a pattern in which individuals allegedly forge land documents and commence developments in areas designated for public infrastructure projects.
“We have found out that each time we want to carry out construction, people who have not been genuinely allocated land move in and start developing the land with forged documents. It will not work,” he stated.
The minister said the administration would continue to enforce planning regulations to safeguard ongoing infrastructure projects and preserve the Abuja Master Plan.
“Tell the Acting Director of Development Control to liaise with the Director of Lands and make sure those who were not allocated land and have started construction are stopped. It is in vain. We will bring such structures down,” he added.
Wike also expressed displeasure over the absence of the Acting Director of Development Control at the event, describing it as a lapse in responsibility.
He warned that senior officials must remain informed about developments within their areas of jurisdiction, especially projects considered critical to the development of the Federal Capital Territory.
The minister’s directive comes amid ongoing efforts by the FCT Administration to expand infrastructure and improve connectivity across the capital city.
The Southern Parkway Service Carriageways project is expected to ease traffic congestion, improve access to Gaduwa, Gudu, Durumi and adjoining communities, and support the development of Abuja’s Southern Development Corridor.
