Members of the Garden Owners Association of Abuja have raised concerns over the ongoing encroachment and conversion of designated green areas into residential estates and commercial developments, a move they say blatantly violates the Abuja Master Plan.
In a weekend statement, the Garden owners association condemned the trend as a clear case of administrative disregard for the city’s intended land-use framework.
The association warned that the environmental, social, and developmental consequences could be dire.
“Our worry is that the master plan was designed to give us spaces for green areas, places for housing, recreational areas, and other land uses.
“The master plan provided that 33 percent of the total land would go to green areas, so the city could breathe air, trees, and a healthy climate. But today, we are witnessing a dangerous drift,” the statement reads.
They alleged that over 500 plots from green zones in Maitama and Asokoro have already been converted, not to mention new areas undergoing similar reclassification.
“Professionally, we are going to cut off that 33 percent, probably down to about 15 percent,” the Association said.
It was reported that the concerns by the Garden Association are not new; recall that in a June 16, 2006, 2011.
The Garden association called for urgent government intervention, particularly from President Bola Tinubu and the FCT Minister, whom they believe may be unaware of the extent of the encroachment.
“In this political era, elections are coming. They will return to deceive us. The President needs to know this is affecting people. The civil servants are doing it for their selfish interests.”
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