Yhe Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has announced that ongoing demolitions targeting illegal structures built on drainage channels will expand from Maitama District across the entire territory without exception.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, following an extensive inspection tour of major infrastructure projects across the Federal Capital Territory, the FCT Minister emphasized the administration’s firm stance on enforcing environmental and urban compliance.
“We just started somewhere. After that, we will move to another area. We are not going to end where we started yesterday. We are very serious and I can tell you that we are not going back. It doesn’t matter who is affected”, Minister Wike declared.
Dismissing criticism regarding due process prior to the demolitions, the Minister noted that blocking natural waterways, gives room for flooding, threatening public safety: “You went to block a water channel, is that due process? I’m the one following due process to make sure the right thing is being done… By the time we remove those structures that block the water channel, there will be free flow of water to where it is supposed to be”.
Wike also announced an immediate ban on the unauthorized conversion of public recreational zones, green spaces, and parks—including areas surrounding the Millennium Park—into commercial car dealerships and parking ports.
Consequently, the Minister announced the establishment of a dedicated Task Force to enforce compliance and clear all unauthorized auto dealers from green zones.
“You can imagine, everywhere you have green areas, you have carports now. So, I’ve already stopped it, and I’ve set up a task force to make sure that every car dealer is moved out of the green areas. If you want to sell your car, you go and purchase somewhere and then develop it. Not where you see green. You just go and start selling cars or where is supposed to be a recreational park turned into the car selling point, we will not accept it again”, the Minister stated.
Accordingly, the FCT Head of Service, Nancy Sabanti Nathan, has summoned key directors—including those overseeing Parks and Recreation, Environmental Protection, Traffic Management, and Urban and Regional Planning—for questioning regarding illegal approvals issued to car dealers.
Providing updates on the projects he inspected, including the extension of the access road from Tungan Madaki community near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to Zuba, the road extension from the Body of Benchers to Ring Road III and the dualization of the access road serving Nile University and Baze University in the Institutions and Research District, the Minister expressed satisfaction with the progress and quality of work.
He praised the contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for advancing construction despite receiving less than 30% mobilization funding and commended their capacity, commitment, and equipment deployment. He assured that the FCT Administration remains fully committed to meeting its financial obligations.
“Let me use this opportunity to commend CCECC. Like I’ve said, these are projects of high capital expenditure, and we have not even mobilized them up to 30%. We can see how committed they are. I always say that contractors should also take into consideration their own support for the growth and development of the city.
“It’s one of those companies that we have seen that money has never been a problem between them and the administration. I sincerely commend them, and I believe they will continue to give the FCT administration the required support to achieve all these projects.
“On our own part, we will not take for granted that they are committed to the realization of the projects. We will do our own part to pay them their money. We will do that. But I really commend them for being committed to this, to the realization of these very important projects.”.
The Minister also reiterated that at least 10 major infrastructure projects are slated for commissioning by the end of the year, which will further boost infrastructure development in the nation’s capital.
“By the time these projects are completed, it will be a different story, so we’re happy”, the Minister added.
