Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate stoppage of the use of green areas, parks and gardens in Abuja as car dealership lots.
Wike expressed concern over the conversion of spaces designated for recreation into commercial car lots and directed relevant authorities to enforce the ban and monitor compliance.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the minister specifically criticised the use of parks and recreational areas, including parts of Millennium Park, for car dealerships.
“Minister, who decried the use of areas designated for parks and recreation like the Millennium Park and others as car lots, directed that all unauthorised use of such areas will be closely monitored to ensure compliance,” the statement said.
The FCT Administration said the directive was part of measures to address flooding in parts of the Federal Capital City.
A task force has been established to enforce the order, while Wike also directed an investigation into civil servants allegedly responsible for granting illegal approvals for the conversion of green areas into car dealership lots.
“This is part of the efforts of the FCT Administration to manage flooding being experienced in some parts of the Federal Capital City.
“Consequently, a Task Force has been set up to enforce this directive.
“Also, 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 statement said.
FCT Officials Summoned
Olayinka said affected officials, particularly directors in the Departments of Parks and Recreation, Environmental Protection, Traffic Management and Urban Affairs, had been summoned by the FCT Head of Service, Nancy Nathan.
The directive comes amid renewed action by the FCT Administration against structures and activities considered to be contributing to flooding in Abuja.
On Tuesday, the FCTA commenced the demolition of houses and other structures built on designated water channels in the Federal Capital Territory.
Wike had ordered the immediate demolition of structures built on natural waterways and flood channels across the FCT after inspecting flood-affected areas in Maitama District.
The order followed a heavy downpour in Abuja on Saturday that flooded several parts of the capital, disrupted vehicular movement, trapped motorists and forced some businesses to temporarily shut as floodwater overwhelmed roads and drainage channels.
Wuse 2 in the city centre, along with parts of Durumi, Gaduwa and Gudu, were among the areas badly affected.
Several motorists were stranded on flooded roads for hours, with some vehicles reportedly developing mechanical faults. Residential and business properties were also affected.
Several houses in Maitama were submerged, with residents attributing the flooding to indiscriminate construction along waterways and blocked drainage channels.
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