Senate urges Wike to stop demolitions in FCT

The Senate has directed Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to suspend demolitions in the nation’s capital, except those authorized by the court.

The decision of the upper legislative chamber was sequel to a motion sponsored by Ireti Kingibe, senator representing FCT.

In recent months, the federal capital development authority (FCDA), under the leadership of Wike, has intensified the demolition of “illegally” constructed estates and shanties in the FCT.

The minister had said some of the shanties posed threats to the security of the nation’s capital.

The red chamber also resolved to set up an ad hoc committee led by Barau Jibrin, deputy senate president, to investigate the matter.

The FCT minister is expected to appear before the committee to answer questions about the demolitions that have rendered many people homeless in the nation’s capital.

Recently, Rita Lori-Ogbebor, chief executive officer of Rita Lori Hotels, revealed that the FCDA revoked a parcel of land in the Life Camp area of Abuja.

The land, she said, belonged to the late Paul Ogbebor, a retired colonel and her former husband.

Lori-Ogbebor has since asked President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the situation, adding that the parcel of land has been in her family for decades.