The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the arrest of a property developer and the demolition of structures built on land meant for foreign missions in the diplomatic area of Katampe Extension in Abuja.
The action followed the discovery that buildings were constructed on the plots without approval from the Federal Capital Development Authority.
The incident occurred on land originally allocated to several embassies within the diplomatic zone of Katampe Extension in the Federal Capital Territory. The plots were assigned on March 18, 2008, for diplomatic residential use, while part of the land was also reserved for the Power Holding Company of Nigeria to build a 132/133KV power station.
During an inspection tour of projects across Abuja, Wike told journalists that the FCT Administration found that an individual had taken control of the embassy land and started construction without official permission. After the discovery, the administration directed the Department of Development Control to remove the buildings erected on the property.
According to the minister, the land had earlier been allocated to several diplomatic missions including those representing Thailand, Bulgaria, Syria, Somalia, Serbia and Montenegro, Japan, Austria, Switzerland, Senegal and the Palestine Liberation Organization.
The administration has now begun informing the affected missions so they can take possession of their allocated plots.
Wike also confirmed that the suspected developer, identified as Alhaji Kabiru Sahara, had been arrested by security authorities. Investigations are ongoing, and the suspect is expected to be taken to court once the police complete their work on the case.
The minister made the remarks after inspecting a number of ongoing development projects in Abuja. The projects include the reconstruction of the Abuja City Gate, the road linking Bill Clinton Drive near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to Tunga Madaki community, and an extension of the road project towards Zuba.
Other projects inspected include the road connecting Baze University, the Body of Benchers complex, Nile University and the Wupa Light Rail Station in the Idu area of the capital, as well as an annex office being built for the Body of Benchers.
Wike explained that many of the projects are being handled by construction companies such as Julius Berger Nigeria, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and Levant Construction.
According to him, the projects are expected to be completed in time for commissioning during the third anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
He also said the development of roads and other infrastructure across the Federal Capital Territory is intended to open up new communities and improve movement within the city.
Residents in areas like Tungan-Madaki have welcomed the projects, as the new road networks will provide easier access between their communities and other parts of Abuja.