The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has declared that the ongoing demolition exercise to retrieve Federal Government lands from illegal squatters will not be suspended until they have been completely recovered for the public interest.
Wike said that the structures being pulled down by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) were erected illegally on Federal Government lands, saying it is the responsibility of my office to retrieve these lands for the public interest.
The former governor stated this minutes after the Senate appealed that the FCDA halt ongoing demolition until after obtaining court permits.
Addressing stakeholders during the handing over ceremony of 50 patrol vehicles to the FCT Police Command, the minister noted that the buildings being pulled down were structures erected by their owners without obtaining approval from the government.
He noted that any building erected on government lands without obtaining approval would pulled down, saying they are illegal squatters.
The minister noted that blackmail from lawmakers and other personalities in Abuja cannot prevent the ongoing recovery of public facilities.
As gathered, Wike was said to be responding to the senator representing Abuja, Ireti Kingibe’s outburst on the senate floor, criticizing the FCDA’s demolition of property including Estates.
“I want to tell the residents of Abuja that there is no amount of blackmail that will stop me from doing what is right. I know that no one will be in this position and will not expect blackmail. There are so many landgrabbers and that is why we have decided to prevent further operations in Abuja.
“We will stop anyone from taking government land without approval. No amount of blackmail can stop us from retrieving government land from illegal squatters”.
Earlier, Wike noted that his decision to propcure more patrol vehicles for the Nigerian police was to ensure that security standard in Abuja improves.
He stressed that without better security, the economy inside the seat of power cannot improve, saying it is when we have security that business can thrive in Abuja.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, commended the minister for the gesture, noting that the gift would enhance policemen patrol operations within Abuja.
According to him, this is the second gift from the minister, increasing the number of vehicles available for patrol within Abuja.
