Wike bans use of Abuja green areas, parks as car dealership lots

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has directed the immediate stoppage of the use of green areas as well as parks and gardens in Abuja as car dealership lots.

Wike, who decried the use of areas designated for parks and recreation like the Millennium Park and others as car lots, directed that all unauthorised use of such areas will be closely monitored to ensure compliance.

The minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, who announced the ban via a statement issued on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, said the directive was part of the efforts of the FCT Administration to manage flooding being experienced in some parts of the FCT.

Olayinka added that a Task Force has been set up to enforce the minister’s directive.

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He noted that Wike has also directed the investigation of some civil servants responsible for granting illegal approvals authorising the use of green areas as car dealership lots.

According to him, the affected civil servants, particularly the Directors of Parks and Recreation, Environmental Protection, Traffic Management and Urban Affairs, have been summoned by the FCT Head of Service, Nancy Nathan.