‘We Will Bring It Down’ – Wike Issues Fresh Abuja Property Demolition Order

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday ordered the demolition of properties being developed on lands acquired through forged documents, warning land grabbers operating in Abuja to desist from the practice.

Naija News reports that Wike issued the warning during the flag-off of the construction of service carriageways along the Southern Parkway, stretching from Arterial Road S20 (Oladipo Diya Way) to Ring Road II.

The minister said the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA)had uncovered cases where individuals allegedly forged land allocation documents and commenced developments on lands not legally allocated to them.

Wike also criticised the Acting Director of Development Control for his absence at the event, directing the Head of Service to convey a stern message to him.

The minister warned that the acting director risked losing the opportunity of being confirmed in a substantive capacity if he failed to demonstrate commitment to his responsibilities.

“Let me warn and I have asked for the Acting Director of Development Control. The Head of Service, I have noticed that most of your directors do not come around and now that we are looking for the Acting Director of Development Control, he’s not here.

“Take the message to him, luckily, he is acting and not the Director yet; I have the capacity not to make him the Director and if he likes, he should call on workers to embark on strike,” Wike said.

The minister stressed that attendance at official functions and active supervision of development activities were part of the responsibilities of senior officials of the administration.

“It’s on me to approve the Directorship. Tell him if he loves his job, he must be present in whichever activities we are doing,” he said.

Wike further directed the official to intensify enforcement efforts against illegal developments across the Federal Capital Territory.

The FCT minister said structures erected on lands obtained through fraudulent means would not be spared.

“Send this message to him that all these land grabbers who have started to develop lands that are not given to them, he should go and bring all down.

“Heaven will not fall, rather heaven will be at peace when things are done properly,” he stated.

Wike disclosed that the administration had repeatedly encountered situations where individuals presented questionable land documents whenever government projects were about to commence.

According to him, such practices would no longer be tolerated.

“We have found out that each time we want to carry out construction, people who have not been genuinely allocated lands, you see them forging documents. It will not work,” he said.

The minister directed the Department of Development Control to work closely with the Department of Lands to verify land ownership records and identify illegal developments.

“So tell the Acting Director of Development Control to liaise with the Director of Lands to make sure that those who were not given land and have started building, it’s in vain, we will bring it down.

“So take this message to him, let him take his work very seriously,” Wike added.