By Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
THE Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate demolition of structures illegally erected on land designated for foreign embassies in the diplomatic zone of Katampe Extension, Abuja.
During an inspection tour of ongoing projects in the capital on Wednesday, the minister revealed that the plots in question were originally allocated to various diplomatic missions for residential purposes on 18th March 2008. However, the land was later encroached upon by an unauthorised developer who commenced construction without approval from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
“This land was allocated to various embassies back in 2008,” Wike stated. “Then someone simply moved in, took possession, and started building without any clearance from the FCDA. We simply cannot stand by and allow this kind of land grabbing to persist.”
The minister listed the affected diplomatic missions as including Thailand, Bulgaria, Syria, Somalia, Serbia and Montenegro, Japan, Austria, Switzerland, Senegal, and the Palestine Liberation Organisation. A portion of the land had also been set aside for the Power Holding Company of Nigeria to facilitate the construction of a 132/133KV power station.
Wike confirmed that the FCT Administration had directed the Department of Development Control to move in and demolish all unlawful structures, thereby restoring the land to its original purpose.
“I have instructed them to pull down every building on this site,” he said. He added that the affected embassies would be formally notified to resume possession of their lawfully allocated plots.
The minister also disclosed that the alleged developer responsible for the encroachment is currently in custody and will face legal action shortly. “The individual has been arrested and will be brought before the court. The police are investigating, and charges will be filed imminently,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Wike inspected a number of road and infrastructure projects across the capital, including key link roads connecting Wuse to the Central Area, a route near the Body of Benchers complex, and the Tungan-Madaki road off the airport corridor.
He expressed confidence that many of the projects would be completed in time for inauguration to mark the third anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
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