Wike probes FCTA directors over conversion of Abuja green areas

THE Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has launched an investigation into senior officials overseeing parks, environmental protection, traffic management and urban affairs over the alleged approval and conversion of Abuja’s designated green spaces for commercial purposes.

The investigation was announced on Wednesday by the minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka.

It also came hours after the minister ordered the immediate demolition of structures obstructing waterways in the city and directed officials to begin addressing drainage problems following severe flooding across parts of Abuja.

“The Minister has directed the investigation of some civil servants responsible for granting illegal approvals authorising the use green areas as car dealership lots. The affected civil servants, particularly the Directors of Parks and Recreation, Environmental Protection, Traffic Management and Urban Affairs have been summoned by the FCT Head of Service, Nancy Sabanti Nathan,” Wike was quoted as saying on Tuesday.

Olayinka explained that the minister has ordered an end to the use of green areas, parks and gardens as car dealership lots and established a task force to enforce the directive.

Wike’s order comes against the backdrop of the flooding that hit several parts of Abuja over the weekend.

The ICIR reported on Tuesday that the minister ordered the immediate demolition of structures obstructing designated waterways, including buildings in Maitama and other flood-prone areas. He also directed the desilting of identified drainage systems.

The flooding has triggered renewed scrutiny of Abuja’s planning system, including the construction of buildings and other structures on green areas, floodplains, gullies and natural drainage channels.

Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the FCT in the National Assembly, specifically linked the worsening flooding to construction on green areas, floodplains, gullies and natural drainage channels, warning that continued development was increasing Abuja’s vulnerability to flooding.

The controversy over the use of Abuja’s green areas as commercial spaces did not begin with the latest flooding or Wednesday’s directive by FCT minister.

According to experts, the city’s parks, gardens, green belts and waterfronts have been caught between their original planning purposes and successive attempts to commercialise or redevelop prime portions of the city.

Recall that in June, residents and civil society groups staged a peaceful protest against the development agreements the FCDA signed with Suburban Broadband Limited and Akida Hills Limited for the transformation of on Jabi Lake waterfront into what the administration described as a major recreational hub.

The agreements were signed at Wike’s office, with the minister describing Abuja as a rapidly developing city with significant potential for recreation and tourism. The administration said the project was intended to enhance leisure, attract investment and promote tourism.

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In November 2024, Wike warned that Abuja’s green areas were being encroached upon and said structures built on green areas without the necessary approval would be demolished without compensation.

At the time, he also warned civil servants against making decisions outside their legal authority, stressing that decisions made without proper authority could create serious complications.

In March 2026, the minister ordered the demolition of an estate in Guzape after the FCT Administration said land originally designated for park and recreation had been converted to residential development, noting that the approval granted to the developer would be revoked.

Similarly, earlier this month, he directed the redevelopment of an abandoned recreational garden at Life Camp Roundabout into a leisure and sporting facility.