Senate probes FCT demolitions, says Wike must explain
…Orders pause on non-court-ordered structures
…As Wike vows to continue crackdown
The Senate has initiated a probe into the recent demolitions in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following a contentious dispute regarding the actions of the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.
The decision to investigate was made on Thursday after Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the FCT Senatorial District, moved a motion expressing concerns over the alleged illegal demolition of structures in the nation’s capital.
Senator Kingibe called for an immediate halt to all further demolitions, including those of estates that have already been marked for demolition. The motion was seconded by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central), who stressed that the demolitions should cease until the Senate completes its investigation.
In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated that the Senate could not outrightly stop the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, from carrying out demolitions in the capital. However, he explained that some demolitions were court-ordered and, therefore, could not be halted.
“The minister will continue with the demolition of structures ordered by the courts in order to avoid being accused of disobeying court orders,” Akpabio said.
The Senate then resolved to set up an investigative committee to examine the demolitions and report back to it within a specified timeframe. The committee was also tasked with inviting Wike to explain the rationale behind the demolitions, which have left many residents without homes.
Furthermore, the Senate directed that any structures marked for demolition in the FCT that have not been ordered by the courts should remain untouched until the committee has met with the Minister and reported back for further action.
Wike has faced widespread criticism for his decision to demolish houses in Abuja. Recently, a construction company, Paullosa Nigeria Limited, raised alarm after receiving a demolition notice from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) for its estate in the Lifecamp area of Abuja. The estate’s General Manager, Vincent Enoghase, claimed that the FCDA had demanded N10 million for a Right of Occupancy, which the company paid but had not received before the quit notice was issued.
Meanwhile, Wike has vowed to continue demolishing properties that have been illegally constructed on government land. Speaking on Thursday during the distribution of operational vehicles to security agencies at the FCTA Secretariat in Abuja, Wike stated that he would not be deterred by blackmail.
He defended the demolitions, claiming that the structures being torn down were built illegally on government land by land grabbers and posed security risks. He asserted that his actions would continue regardless of public pressure.
“Let me use this opportunity to tell Nigerians and residents of Abuja that we are not afraid of blackmail. In fact, you cannot be in this position and be blackmailed, particularly with regard to Abuja,” he said.
“There are so many land grabbers. Some of us have come to put our feet down. Let heaven fall. It is even better that heaven falls now than for us to keep fasting to go to heaven.
“We will stop anybody who thinks they can take government land for whatever reason, with or without formal approval. We will not look at your face. If you like, be a civil rights activist or a television personality. What is wrong is wrong, and no amount of blackmail will stop us. People are taking government property without approval or documentation,” Wike added.
The minister also warned individuals still owing ground rents in the FCT to pay up or face the revocation of their titles.
“All those who have not paid, who thought we were joking, I am going to revoke all titles. I will do it. You think nothing will happen, but something will. Go and check your records.
“If you haven’t paid, I will give you time. Once that time expires, forget it. I will revoke your title and allocate it to those who will pay,” Wike said.
