Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered an investigation into some directors of the FCT Administration over alleged illegal approvals granted for the use of parks and green areas as car dealership lots.
The directive followed the Minister’s concern over the conversion of areas designated for parks, gardens and recreation into commercial spaces, particularly car lots, across the Federal Capital City.
Wike has also directed the immediate stoppage of the practice and ordered the setting up of a task force to enforce the directive and reclaim the affected public spaces.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the officials being investigated include Directors of Parks and Recreation, Environmental Protection, Traffic Management and Urban Affairs.
The affected directors have been summoned by the FCT Head of Service, Nancy Nathan, as part of the investigation into how approvals were granted for the unauthorised use of the green areas.
The Minister’s directive specifically targets the use of areas meant for recreation and environmental purposes, including the Millennium Park and other designated parks, as car dealership lots.
“The Minister, who decried the use of areas designated for parks and recreation like the Millennium Park and others as car lots, directed that all unauthorized use of such areas will be closely monitored to ensure compliance,” the statement said.
Wike’s action is also linked to the FCT Administration’s ongoing efforts to address flooding in parts of Abuja, with the administration concerned about the impact of the unauthorised conversion of green areas and parks on the city’s environmental management.
The task force established by the Minister is expected to enforce the ban and ensure that parks, gardens and green areas are returned to their designated purposes.
The investigation into the directors is expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged approvals and establish whether due process was followed in granting permission for the use of the public spaces as car lots.
The FCT Administration said the measures were aimed at ensuring compliance with approved land-use plans and protecting the city’s parks and recreational spaces from unauthorised commercial activities.
