Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has mandated that illicit auto dealerships and car lots operating in parks, gardens, and green areas throughout Abuja close immediately.
Additionally, Wike gave the FCT Administration instructions to keep a careful eye on the impacted regions and make sure they are not being used for purposes other than those for which they were intended.
Lere Olayinka, the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, published a statement on Wednesday that included the directive.
Citing the Millennium Park and other such locales as examples, Wike reportedly voiced concerns over the turning of spaces intended for parks and recreation into parking lots.
According to the Minister, the action was a part of the FCT Administration’s attempts to alleviate flooding in some areas of the Federal Capital City.
Wike also mandated the creation of a task team to oversee the impacted areas and guarantee adherence to the directive.
“An investigation has been ordered into some civil servants who granted illegal approvals for the use of green areas as car dealership lots. The affected officials, particularly the Directors of Parks and Recreation, Environmental Protection, Traffic Management and Urban Affairs, have been summoned to explain their roles,” the statement said.
The statement also stated that Nancy Sabanti Nathan, the FCT Head of the Civil Service, had called the officials to explain their responsibilities in approving the permits.
Backstory…
Wike’s directive comes amid renewed flooding across Abuja, after heavy rainfall on Saturday left several parts of the Federal Capital Territory submerged, with vehicles trapped in floodwater and major roads affected.
Areas including Wuse 2, Gudu, Mabushi, Maitama and other districts were among those affected, reigniting concerns about Abuja’s drainage system and the increasing obstruction of natural waterways.
Wike’s own inspection of flood-affected areas on Tuesday further brought the issue into focus. During a visit to Maitama, the minister discovered a structure built on a drainage area that had been allocated but revoked in 2011. The discovery prompted him to order the demolition of structures obstructing waterways across the FCT.
Read Also: Wike Orders Immediate Demolition of Structures Built on Water Ways, Amid Abuja Flood
