The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, yesterday threatened to pull down all illegal buildings and structures in the territory as part of efforts to restore the Abuja Master Plan.
Wike issued the treat at an inaugural news conference held in Abuja shortly after he was sworn in as FCT minister.
He also announced the short, medium, and long-term plans to overhaul the FCT and reposition it among the best cities in the world.
He said the era of business as usual had gone stressing that those who had distorted the city’s master plan would not have their cake and eat it.
“It is not going to be business as usual. Those distorting Abuja Master Plan: if you build where you are not supposed to, the building will go down.
“Those who were allocated land and refused to develop them, we will revoke such lands and re-allocate them to those who are ready to develop them.
“Those who don’t pay ground rent, we will not notify them to do so, but I will not be tired of signing revocation notices.
“Uncompleted buildings that have become a haven for criminals will be reclaimed by the government and put to good use,” he announced in a guttural voice.
Wike also warned landowners who had coveted the green areas to build properties, saying those areas must be recovered.
“If you hate green, you must hate yourself. So, if you know you have anybody involved that has taken over the green areas or has taken over the parks to where you now do restaurants, no, we will not accept that. Sorry,” he said.
Furthermore, he sent warning to those operating illegal motor parks and bus stops, displaying wares indiscriminately or selling things under unbrellas by the roadsides saying government would no longer condone such
“If you have a brother, sister, or uncle involved in any of these, please tell him that the time is up. The goal is to sanitise Abuja and make it safe for everyone,” he added.
He also said efforts would be made to strengthen waste management and restore all traffic lights to keep the city clean.
He added that motorcycle and tricycle operators would be banned from the city adding that open grazing within the capital city would no longer be tolerated.
“We will consult with stakeholders, the natives, and herdsmen to address some of these problems, including open grazing.
“We will provide alternatives to reduce the suffering of the people, particularly those without private vehicles.
“We will bring back mass transit to improve access to public transportation, and therefore, the person in charge of transportation must keep his record clean,” he said.
He said emphasis would be placed on infrastructural development, taking one project at a time to restore the city to its glory.
The minister said development would also be extended to the six Area Councils as part of strategies to decongest the city.
He also said that all revenue leakages would be blocked to mobilise the needed resources for infrastructural development in the FCT.
On security, Wike said he would work with all security agencies in the FCT and provide them with the necessary tools and logistics to rid the city of all criminals.
According to him, FCT is supposed to be the safest city in the country, adding, however, that the city is no longer safe.
“We will provide security agencies with the necessary tools and logistics, and after that, we will not want to hear any excuses. What we want to see is results.”
Wike also promised to consider the natives in political appointments to carry everyone along.
He solicited the support of all stakeholders, including the media, to restore the confidence of the people in President Bola Tinubu-led administration’s drive to give people hope.
With NAN report
