The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has directed the demolition of properties under development on lands allegedly acquired through forged documents, warning individuals involved in illegal land acquisition in Abuja to desist from such activities.
Wike gave the directive on Tuesday during the flag-off ceremony for the construction of service carriageways along the Southern Parkway, extending from Arterial Road S20 (Oladipo Diya Way) to Ring Road II.
According to the minister, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) uncovered instances where individuals allegedly forged land allocation documents and commenced developments on lands that were not legally assigned to them.
He stressed that the administration would no longer tolerate illegal occupation or development of government land.
During the event, Wike also expressed displeasure over the absence of the Acting Director of Development Control and instructed the Head of Service to communicate his concerns to the official.
The minister warned that performance and commitment would influence future administrative decisions regarding leadership appointments.
“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.
He maintained that senior officials are expected to participate actively in official assignments and ensure strict monitoring of development activities across the territory.
“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 added.
The minister further instructed the Development Control Department to intensify enforcement operations against illegal developments.
According to him, structures erected on lands obtained through fraudulent means would not be allowed to stand.
“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 questionable land ownership documents surfaced whenever government infrastructure projects were about to commence.
He insisted that such practices would no longer succeed.
“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 with the Department of Lands to verify ownership records and identify unauthorized 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.
