The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has demolished more than 30 substructures at River Park Estate in Abuja for violating planning regulations.
Director of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, disclosed this on Wednesday while leading enforcement officers to the site.
Galadima said the affected developers went ahead with construction despite the withdrawal of their lease agreements and recommendations from a ministerial committee, which had directed that all undeveloped plots in the estate be reverted to the FCTA.
FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had on August 8 inaugurated ad-hoc committees to review controversies surrounding the estate. Submitting its report last week, the committee chaired by Salman Dako explained that revoking undeveloped plots became necessary due to the expiration and breach of Development Lease Agreements (DLAs). The move, it added, was also to reassert administrative control in line with Clause 9.2 of the DLA.
The committee, however, recommended that holders of valid customary titles who had developed their plots in accordance with planning and development regulations should retain their titles, in line with an existing court judgment.
Galadima said reports had reached his office that some developers were working “day and night” to quickly develop vacant plots, despite being served stop-work notices.
“This morning we came and saw them working, that’s why we removed the structures. Over 30 foundations had been excavated, but we will cover them. Whoever we see on site, we remove. This is just the beginning,” he said.
He warned that further illegal building attempts would not be tolerated, adding that offenders could face prosecution.
“Should there be fresh erections, they will be removed again and prosecution may follow. The legal secretariat will determine the next line of action,” he said.
Some residents, however, complained that they were already suffering from the enforcement exercise.
Pastor Chimdi Obwe, a resident of the adjoining Ciarudi area, said he had been denied access to his home and lost part of his property.
“I was stopped from accessing my house. They blocked the exit, demolished my fence, and now I can’t access our cars. We’ve all packed out,” he lamented.
