Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), ordered an immediate halt to converting Abuja’s green areas and parks into car-dealership lots [1].
The order aims to address the city's recurring flooding issues. Officials said the floods were linked to the loss of natural green spaces and the blockage of drainage channels caused by illegal developments [1], [3].
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Wike said the use of FCT green areas for commercial car lots must be stopped [2]. The move is part of a broader effort to restore the environmental integrity of the capital city. The minister said the preservation of these spaces is critical to maintaining the city's planned infrastructure [1], [4].
The crackdown targets car dealers who have occupied designated parks and gardens [4]. These areas were originally designed to absorb rainwater and facilitate natural drainage, but many have been paved over for business use [1], [2].
This directive follows other infrastructure interventions in the region. Wike said the demolition of structures built on waterways would be carried out across Abuja to further reduce flood risks [5].
The FCT administration is now focusing on identifying and reclaiming these illegally converted sites. The government said it intends to ensure that the city's green belts remain unobstructed to prevent the seasonal flooding that has historically disrupted transport and damaged property in the Federal Capital Territory [1], [3].
“Nyesom Wike ordered an immediate halt to converting Abuja’s green areas and parks into car-dealership lots.”
This policy shift indicates a prioritization of urban climate resilience over commercial expansion in Abuja. By reclaiming green spaces, the FCT administration is attempting to restore the city's natural drainage capacity, suggesting that previous land-use enforcement was insufficient to prevent the environmental degradation leading to chronic flooding.
