Wike Bans Use of Abuja Green Areas as Car Lots, Orders Investigation

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate stoppage of the use of parks, gardens and other designated green areas in Abuja as car dealership lots.

The directive is part of measures by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to protect recreational spaces and address flooding affecting parts of the nation’s capital.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike expressed concern over the conversion of areas designated for recreation into commercial car lots.

The minister specifically cited the Millennium Park and other parks and gardens being used for car sales and directed relevant authorities to ensure that such unauthorised activities stop immediately.

The FCTA has consequently established a task force to monitor compliance and enforce the directive across the Federal Capital Territory.

Wike has also ordered an investigation into civil servants allegedly responsible for granting approvals for the use of green areas as car dealership sites.

The officials affected include directors overseeing Parks and Recreation, Environmental Protection, Traffic Management and Urban Affairs.

According to the FCTA, the officials have been summoned by the FCT Head of Service, Nancy Sabanti Nathan, to explain their roles in the alleged approvals.

The minister’s action comes amid growing concerns over flooding in several parts of Abuja.

The FCT Administration has increasingly focused on protecting waterways, drainage channels and other environmentally sensitive areas as part of efforts to improve flood management and urban planning.

The latest directive also reinforces the administration’s position that commercial activities and developments must comply with Abuja’s planning regulations.

Earlier this month, Wike warned that land speculators, fraudulent developers and people undermining the Abuja Master Plan would not be allowed to operate with impunity in the FCT.

The minister has also ordered other measures aimed at improving order and regulating activities in the capital, including restrictions on commercial motorcycles and tricycles in some areas over security concerns.

With the new directive, the FCTA is expected to step up enforcement against unauthorised use of public green spaces and investigate how such spaces were approved for commercial purposes.