The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has directed the immediate stoppage of the use of green areas, parks and gardens in the nation’s capital as car dealership lots.
Wike, who expressed concern over the conversion of areas designated for recreation into car lots, directed the relevant authorities to ensure that all unauthorised use of such spaces was stopped.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the minister specifically decried the use of areas designated for parks and recreation as 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 statement added that the directive was part of efforts by the FCT Administration to address the flooding being experienced in some parts of the Federal Capital City, adding that the minister had also directed an investigation into some civil servants allegedly responsible for granting illegal approvals of green areas.
“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.
Olayinka added that the affected officials, particularly directors in the Departments of Parks and Recreation, Environmental Protection, Traffic Management and Urban Affairs, have been summoned by the FCT Head of Service, Nancy Nathan.
On Tuesday, the PUNCH reported that the FCTA commenced the demolition of houses and other structures built on designated water channels in Abuja.
The FCT minister, after inspecting flood-affected areas in Maitama District, ordered the immediate demolition of all structures built on natural waterways and flood channels across the Federal Capital Territory.
The minister’s declaration followed a heavy downpour in Abuja on Saturday, which flooded several parts of the FCT, disrupting vehicular movement, trapping motorists and forcing some businesses to temporarily shut as floodwater overwhelmed roads and drainage channels.
Wuse 2 in the city centre, as well as parts of Durumi, Gaduwa and Gudu districts, were among the areas badly affected by the flood.
Several motorists were stranded on flooded roads for hours, with some vehicles reportedly developing mechanical faults, while residential and business properties were also affected.
The flooding also submerged several houses in Maitama, with residents attributing the incident to indiscriminate construction along waterways and blocked drainage channels.
