River Park Estate Under Fresh Probe As Wike Goes After Land Violators

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Friday, inaugurated two ad-hoc committees to investigate and resolve pressing land use issues within the city.

One of the committees will investigate the controversies surrounding the River Park Estate, and the other to review the misuse of land in areas where the original purposes have been violated. Both have a two-week deadline to submit their findings and recommendations.

Speaking at the inauguration, held at the FCTA Secretariat, Wike charged both committees to carry out their duties with the highest standards of professionalism and independence.

“I don’t want to hear of any issue of influence from outside. If I hear that somebody has an interest, be it from outside or within the FCTA, particularly AGIS and the Land Administration Department, you know the consequences,” the Minister warned, stressing that the process must be free from any form of external interference.

He added that the exercise is part of a broader strategy to streamline the FCT Administration’s services and reinstate discipline in the city’s planning and development systems.

The first committee, chaired by Barrister Salman Dako, General Counsel and Secretary of the Legal Services Secretariat, is tasked with reviewing all disputes and allegations surrounding the River Park Estate, an expansive mass housing development.

According to Wike, “The government often enters into agreements or Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with developers for mass housing, but many of these agreements are routinely violated. The River Park case is a clear example.”

The committee is expected to evaluate the terms of the original agreement, investigate violations, and recommend corrective measures to the FCT Administration.

Wike made it clear that the two-week timeframe would not be extended and urged the committee to work around the clock if necessary.

The second committee, headed by Town Planner Mukhtar Galadima, Director of Development Control, will tackle widespread violations of land use and purpose clauses.

The committee’s mandate is to identify properties across the FCT that have been illegally converted from their designated uses, particularly residential lands now hosting commercial operations, and recommend the appropriate course of action.

Wike said, “If you have a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for residential purposes and you’ve turned it into commercial use without government approval, that is a violation.

“This committee will help us determine whether to revoke such titles or enforce penalties and require formal conversion with proper fees.”

The Minister emphasised that all recommendations must be clear, actionable, and presented within two weeks.

Beyond the committee inaugurations, Wike issued a directive to key departments—Lands, Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS), Development Control, and Urban and Regional Planning, to immediately compile a comprehensive list of all ground rent defaulters from 2022 to 2025.

The move, he explained, is critical to generating revenue for the execution of projects outlined in the 2025 FCT budget, which has been assented to by President Bola Tinubu but currently lacks funding.

“The budget has been submitted to us without funds. There’s no way you can embark on projects that will impact the lives of our people without money. So, work tirelessly to identify these defaulters so we can begin enforcement and raise the needed revenue,” the Minister said.

He further stressed that recovering outstanding ground rent is a key part of the administration’s drive to develop critical infrastructure and meet budgetary obligations in the nation’s capital.

Wike reaffirmed his commitment to uphold the Abuja Master Plan, enforce regulations, and plug revenue leakages. He added that the era of impunity in land use violations will come to an end.

River Park Estate Under Fresh Probe As Wike Goes After Land Violators is first published on The Whistler Newspaper