General News
Land use change : Wike orders demolition of structures in green area
Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Monday, ordered for the immediate withdrawal of approval for a developer, that changed what was approved as green area to an estate.
Wike stated this when he inspected some ongoing projects which included, extension of Arterial N16 from RR2 to RR3 (CBC global), access Road to Renewed Hope Estate in Karsana District (Lubrik Construction Company Ltd), Highway Fct 105 from Airport road to Kuje (Arab contractors) and Construction of Kuje to Gwagwalada road (Gilmor Engineering Ltd), in Abuja.
The FCT Minister, who lamented how people use different strategies to get land from government and at the end they will do a different thing.
He added that this would not be acceptable to the government, so he therefore ordered for immediate demolition of the structures on the property and withdrawal of the approval by FCT.
According to the minister, “And then we are here now in Guzape. Like I’ve always said, people do not want to obey laws, simply because they always believe that government will come and go. And so, let us wait, when the government comes and goes, we’ll continue what we are doing.
“We will not allow that here. It doesn’t matter, we will do the right thing. This place was given as a green area. But from what you have seen now, they wanted to develop it to an estate, which is in violation. And this is the kind of things that we have always complained about.
“People will use different strategies to get land from government, and at the end of the day they would do a different thing.
“So we had to demolish it, and we are also going to withdraw whatever approval he has, because it was not given to him to develop an estate. It was for green area, with passive or active recreation, but not an estate. And nobody would allow that”.
Referring to a developer that grabbed the land that was allocated to foreign embassies he said, “You were with us the other day, where we went to where embassies were given land and somebody, of course, believing that nothing will happen, has gone there to take embassies’ land.
“We have demolished the buildings and have written to the embassies, that they can go back and develop their land. But that’s what we are supposed to do.
“Also, what most of them also do now, is to rush to court and find one court that will delay the matter, believing that the minister will go when he goes, we can come back and settle with those who settled with them in the land administration.
“It’s quite unfortunate, but we’ll do our work. We will not know who is involved. Always our interest is to do the right thing”.
Responding on whether land grabbing in Abuja is done in connivance with civil servants, Wike said, “Let us not pretend, all of us know. An armed robber cannot go to a place where there are no people linking the armed robber. There must be a clue. There must be somebody very close.
“Kidnappers don’t also go to just kidnap somebody, there must be an informant. So it’s not far from the fact that, yes, they have collaborations within the various departments.
“For example, we are talking about the embassies, first of all, for the development control to give you approval of building, you must show ownership, and that ownership is C-of-O. We can find out that there is no C-of-O. How did they approve the building? So, these are the kind of problems we have.
“You have multifaceted problems that you don’t know where to start from. But that should not deter us. We are going do what we think is right, and we’re not going to look away because of the fact that civil servants are involved. It’s not only civil servants. Even you as an individual, why do you want to go and perpetrate that? I mean, it’s not allowed”.
The FCT minister said, he is satisfied with all the contractors and the work they are doing, and they are moving according to the schedule agreed on.
By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, said his administration has concluded arrangement to shifting its focus toward industrial waste recycling to achieve a more sustainable and consistently clean capital city.
Wike revealed this during an inspection tour of various infrastructure projects in Abuja.
The FCT Minister argued that the current culture of monthly environmental sanitation is insufficient for the long-term needs of a modern city.
He added that the traditional Monthly Sanitation only provides a temporary facelift, it does not solve the root problem of waste accumulation.
”If you do it on a Saturday, that Saturday is clean.
“But for me, that is not a very major issue. Having a dump site is not enough for you to say that the problem is solved.”
He emphasized that true waste management is an industrial necessity rather than just a routine business task.
According to the Minister, the goal is to transition from merely collecting refuse to processing it through modern technnologies.
The Minister disclosed that the FCTA is looking to move beyond the use of landfills and dump sites by establishing specialized factories.
The vision is to turn Abuja’s waste into a resource by creating new products, aligning with global best practices.
The FCTA is already receiving and reviewing offers from experts who have successfully implemented these systems in other global cities.
In addition to waste management, the Minister provided updates on critical infrastructure projects slated for inauguration during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s third year in office.
Wike expressed high satisfaction with the Judges’ residences, describing the work by Gilmor as “beautiful” and “99% ready.”
He also inspected the N5 road project, which is 100% complete, and the Court of Appeal (Abuja Division).
While the Court of Appeal is 90% complete, the Minister was candid about his expectations for quality, ordering the contractor to correct several “errors” before the official commissioning.
Addressing recent criticisms regarding the executive’s role in building judicial residences, Wike dismissed claims that such projects erode judicial independence.
He pointed out the irony of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) criticizing government-funded infrastructure while simultaneously accepting government sponsorship for their own activities and conferences.
”The mere fact that the executive constructs does not mean that that will lead to interference in the judiciary,” Wike stated, reaffirming that providing comfortable housing allows judges to stay focused on their work without compromise.
The Minister concluded by reiterating that the FCTA remains undeterred and focused on fulfilling its promises to the residents of Abuja through both physical infrastructure and innovative environmental solutions.
××××× Dedicates Award To FCT Residents
By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja
The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has expressed profound gratitude following her recognition as the Minister of State of the Year at the 6th Edition of the Accolade Yellow Ball and Awards held at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
Speaking while receiving the award as Guest of Honour at the prestigious event, Mahmoud described the honour as a reflection of the collective commitment and hard work of the entire Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) under the leadership of the Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike.
The Minister noted that the recognition would further inspire her to continue contributing meaningfully to the development and transformation of the Federal Capital Territory in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
She emphasized that leadership remains fundamentally about service, commitment, compassion, and creating opportunities that positively impact citizens.
Mahmoud dedicated the award to the resilient people of the FCT, particularly women, youths, and community leaders whose support and partnership continue to strengthen the administration’s resolve to deliver impactful governance.
According to her, the confidence reposed in the administration serves as a motivating force behind every policy and initiative being pursued.
She also commended the organizers of the Accolade Yellow Ball and Awards for sustaining a platform that promotes excellence, integrity, innovation, and outstanding public service, stressing that recognizing hard work and dedication is vital to building a culture of accountability and national progress.
The Minister further called on Nigerians to remain united and committed to nation-building, peace, and sustainable development, especially as the nation approaches the 2027 general elections.
She expressed optimism that through collective effort and patriotism, Abuja and Nigeria would continue to grow into places future generations would be proud of.
By Philip Nyam
The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Oluwaseun Faleye, has underscored the role of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) in restoring hope and dignity to Nigerian workers who suffer injuries in the line of duty.
He made the remarks in Abuja during the presentation of prosthetic limbs to 10 beneficiaries of the scheme.
Represented by the General Manager, Claims and Compensation, Mrs. Nkiru Ogunnike, the MD said the initiative continues to put smiles on the faces of injured workers by supporting their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
According to him, the ECS goes beyond statutory compensation, reflecting a humane commitment to restoring confidence and preserving the dignity of workers affected by occupational hazards.
He noted that workplace accidents often result not only in physical injuries but also emotional trauma and uncertainty about the future.
Faleye explained that for many Nigerian workers, a single workplace incident can permanently alter the course of their lives.
He however said the intervention of the NSITF through the ECS provides a second chance for victims to rebuild their lives and regain independence.
Highlighting specific cases, he cited the experiences of two beneficiaries, Daniel Etim, a staff of University of Uyo Printing Press and Festus Opkara of Tower Aluminium Laos, as evidence of the scheme’s impact.
Daniel lost his arm in May 2024 after it was trapped in an industrial machine during a routine workday, an injury which led to amputation.
“However, through the intervention of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund as administrators of the ECS, Daniel received medical support, with his treatment expenses fully covered under the Scheme.
“Beyond the payment of medical bills, the Fund extended further rehabilitative support by providing him with a prosthetic arm, reaffirming its commitment not only to compensation but also to restoring dignity, confidence, and functionality to injured workers.
“Daniel’s story underscores the broader mandate of the Employee Compensation Scheme, a social protection mechanism designed to ensure that Nigerian workers who suffer workplace injuries, disabilities, occupational diseases, or death are not abandoned in moments of vulnerability,” the NSITF MD explained.
“Similar to Daniel’s is the story of Festus, whose workplace accident dates back to 2015. Having lost his hand in a workplace incident, Festus lived for years with the emotional burden that accompanied his physical condition.
“Beyond the trauma of the accident itself was the constant public attention, the quizzical looks, and the pitying stares that made social interactions difficult,” he stated, adding that “NSITF provided Festus with a silicone prosthetic hand, helping him regain not only physical confidence but also a renewed sense of inclusion and self-worth”.
Highlighting the significance of the ECS, the MD restated that “For beneficiaries like Daniel and Festus, the interventions of the NSITF have become more than institutional obligations; they represent hope, restoration, and reassurance that injured workers are not left to navigate tragedy alone”.
To the MD, these examples speak to a frequently overlooked dimension of workplace injuries: the psychological and emotional scars that persist long after physical wounds may have healed.
“These interventions highlight the critical role of the NSITF in implementing the Employee Compensation Scheme, which continues to serve as a vital safety net for Nigerian workers in both the public and private sectors”, he concluded.
While reflecting on how his life was transformed, one of the beneficiaries, Festus Okpara enthused: ‘I thank NSITF for coming all this way to help. At least with this (a silicone artificial hand), I can go out in public and feel free. NSITF has reduced the level of trauma'”.
It would be recalled that the ten beneficiaries were among the 78 who recently got fitted with artificial limbs in the ongoing rehabilitation and reintegration program of the NSITF.”
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