The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Wednesday demolished around 35 substructures at the River Park Estate, Abuja, over alleged violations of planning regulations and defiance of recommendations by a ministerial committee that had directed all undeveloped plots in the estate be reverted to the FCTA.
The Director of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, who led the enforcement team, accused the affected developers of proceeding with construction despite the withdrawal of their lease agreements. He disclosed that developers were attempting to circumvent the directive and warned that any further illegal building would be swiftly removed.
“About a week ago, two committees submitted their reports to the Honourable Minister, one of which addressed issues surrounding the River Park Estate development. One of the recommendations was that all undeveloped plots within the estate be reverted back to the FCT Administration,” Galadima said. “We received reports that some developers were working day and night to develop these plots. We served them notice to stop work, but they continued. That is why we are removing the excavations and structures.”
On claims linking Paulo Homes to the development, Galadima stated that the legal secretariat would provide clarification, noting that the Development Lease Agreement (DLA) for the affected plots had expired. He warned that repeat violations could result in prosecutions.
The ad-hoc committee on River Park Estate, led by Salmon Dako, had explained in its report to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike that the revocation of undeveloped plots was necessitated by DLA expiration, breaches, and the need to reassert administrative control under Clause 9.2 of the DLA. However, holders of previous “customary” titles who complied with planning regulations were allowed to retain their plots.
Affected resident Chimdi Obwe lamented the development, saying he had been denied access to his home and lost part of his property. “My fence was demolished, and now I cannot access our cars. We are all packed out. This has caused immense difficulty for my family,” he said.
Olawale Ajimotokan
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