The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has condemned the erection of buildings on land designated for foreign embassies in the diplomatic area of Katampe Extension, Abuja, calling them unlawful constructions.
Wike commented on Friday while speaking to reporters during a review of current infrastructure projects throughout the FCT.
He stated that the unlawful structures would not be permitted to remain and directed the demolition of the impacted buildings.
Throughout the visit, the minister examined multiple roads and infrastructure initiatives, such as the pathway connecting Wuse to the Central Area, a road adjacent to the Body of Benchers complex, and the Tungan-Madaki road off the airport corridor.
He indicated assurance that numerous projects would be finished in time for the celebration commemorating the third anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Regarding the unlawful structures on embassy property, Wike stated that the lands were initially granted on March 18, 2008, to different diplomatic missions for housing but were subsequently taken over by an unauthorized developer who initiated construction without the Federal Capital Development Authority’s consent.
“This land was allocated to various embassies in 2008. Somebody just came here, took the land, and started developing it on their own without approval from the FCDA. We cannot allow this kind of land invasion to continue,” he said.
Wike enumerated the diplomatic missions impacted, which include Thailand, Bulgaria, Syria, Somalia, Serbia and Montenegro, Japan, Austria, Switzerland, Senegal, and the Palestine Liberation Organization. A section of the land was also allocated to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria for a 132/133 kV power facility.
The minister announced that the FCTA instructed the Department of Development Control to tear down all buildings on the land and revert it to its initial use.
“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 allocated plots.
Wike further revealed that the suspected developer had been arrested and would soon be prosecuted.
“The man has been arrested, and he will be charged in court. The police are carrying out their investigation and he will be charged any moment from now,” he said.
