Wike orders probe into officials over Abuja green-area conversions

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has ordered an investigation into officials suspected of approving the conversion of Abuja’s green areas, parks and gardens into commercial car dealership sites.

The directive comes amid renewed concerns over flooding in parts of the Federal Capital Territory and the use of public environmental spaces for commercial activities.

Wike also ordered the immediate stoppage of unauthorised vehicle dealerships operating on land designated for parks and recreation.

The minister’s directive was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka.

According to the statement, a task force has been constituted by the FCT Administration to identify and monitor unauthorised commercial activities in green areas and enforce compliance.

Wike specifically cited locations reserved for recreational purposes, including Millennium Park, saying such spaces should not be converted into car sales lots.

The minister directed the investigation of civil servants allegedly involved in granting approvals for the conversion of designated green spaces.

The affected officials include directors responsible for Parks and Recreation, Environmental Protection, Traffic Management and Urban Affairs. They have been summoned by the Head of the FCT Civil Service, Nancy Sabanti Nathan.

The investigation is expected to establish how commercial activities were approved on land originally designated for parks, gardens and other environmental purposes.

Wike said preserving Abuja’s green spaces was important to maintaining environmental infrastructure, particularly areas that help absorb and manage stormwater.

The minister’s latest directive follows recent flooding incidents in the capital and his administration’s wider crackdown on activities blamed for worsening flood risks.

He had previously ordered the demolition of structures obstructing designated waterways and identified blocked drainage channels, construction on restricted land and poor drainage maintenance among factors contributing to flooding in Abuja.