The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate stoppage of the use of green areas, parks and gardens in Abuja as car dealership stands.
Mr Wike also directed relevant authorities to monitor and enforce the ban, warning against the unauthorised conversion of recreational spaces in the nation’s capital.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka.
The minister expressed concern over the conversion of areas designated for parks and recreation, including parts of the Millennium Park, into car lots.
He directed the authorities concerned to ensure that all unauthorised use of such spaces was stopped and closely monitored to prevent further violations.
According to the statement, the directive is part of measures by the FCT Administration to address flooding in parts of the Federal Capital City.
“Minister, 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 statement said.
The minister has also constituted a task force to enforce the directive and investigate the alleged illegal approval of green areas for use as car dealership lots.
The statement said some civil servants suspected of granting the approvals would be investigated.
“This is part of the efforts of the FCT Administration to manage flooding being experienced in some parts of the Federal Capital City.
“Consequently, a Task Force has been set up to enforce this directive.
“Also, the minister has directed the investigation of some civil servants responsible for granting illegal approvals authorising the use [of] green areas as car dealership lots,” it added.
Mr Olayinka said affected officials, particularly directors in the Departments of Parks and Recreation, Environmental Protection, Traffic Management and Urban Affairs, had been summoned by the FCT Head of Service, Nancy Nathan.
