The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has revoked the allocation of Jabi Lake Park to a developer that failed to carry out any meaningful development on the site for approximately 20 years. Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Wike stated the revocation was part of a broader effort by the FCT Administration to reclaim abandoned public assets and curb the misuse of parks and recreational spaces. The land was originally allocated to a company named Suburban two decades ago, but remained largely undeveloped, eventually becoming overrun with shanties and informal businesses.
Wike said he personally visited the site and was disturbed by the poor state of the lakefront and the encroachment on public space. He immediately instructed officials to revoke the allocation. After the announcement, representatives of Suburban contacted government officials, claiming they had secured funding for the project. Wike responded by demanding proof of funding and evidence of readiness to commence work. He emphasized that any future development on the site would be closely monitored by the Development Control Department.
The minister disclosed that the FCT Administration is enforcing stricter conditions on land allocations, requiring developers to complete projects within set timelines or risk revocation. He revealed that over 2,000 land-related disputes are currently being handled by the administration, with about 1,500 involving parks and gardens. Wike accused some private operators of using unauthorized documents to convert public recreational areas into residential buildings, hotels, and commercial ventures. He dismissed allegations of land grabbing, reiterating that all land allocated for development must be used within the agreed period or be returned to the government for public benefit.
Nyesom Wike revoked Jabi Lake Park's allocation after two decades of inaction, yet the company only claimed to secure funding after the revocation was announced. This pattern of neglect followed by sudden interest suggests prior commitments were never genuine. Residents have lost two decades of potential public access to a recreational space meant for their benefit. The FCT Administration's new enforcement stance may deter speculative landholding, but past failures have already eroded public trust.
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