By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike has retrieved some land originally allocated to several foreign embassies within the diplomatic zone of Katampe extension from an illegal land developer.
He also ordered immediate demolition of all building illegally constructed on the land.
Wike gave this order while carrying out inspection of ongoing projects within the Federal Capital City, FCC on Friday.
According to him, ” This land was allocated to various embassies in 2008, and somebody just came here, took the land and started developing it on his own without approval from the FCDA. We cannot allow this kind of land invasion to continue.”
He listed the affected diplomatic missions to include Thailand, Bulgaria, Syria, Somalia, Serbia and Montenegro, Japan, Austria, Switzerland, Senegal and the Palestine Liberation Organization, while a section of the land was also reserved for the Power Holding Company of Nigeria for a 132/133KV power station.
Wike said the FCT Administration had directed the Department of Development Control to demolish all structures on the land and restore it to its original purpose. “I have told them to bring down every building standing on this land,” he said, adding that the affected embassies would be formally notified to take possession of their plots.
The minister also disclosed that the suspected developer had been arrested and would soon face prosecution.
“The man has been arrested and he will be charged to court. The police are carrying out their investigation and he will be charged any moment from now,” he said.
Earlier, Wike inspected several road and infrastructure projects across Abuja, including road works linking Wuse to the Central Area, a route near the Body of Benchers complex, and the Tungan-Madaki road off the airport corridor. He said many of the projects would be completed in time for inauguration during the third anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in office.
