Finally, properties owners in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital Territory (FCT), can breath a sigh of relief.
For months, Wike has only taken them through a journey of destruction and demolition.
Wike, during his emergence as the FCT minister, had vowed to bring down any building disturbing Abuja, and trust the former Rivers Governor, he kept to his word.
Wike’s demolition got to a point when residents could no longer bear the burden, they stormed the streets and protested against the demolition.
Now, as we speak, Senators have weighed in on the matter.
They have ordered Wike to suspend the demolition of properties within the FCT until the investigations conducted by its ad-hoc committee are completed.
This resolution was adopted on Thursday.
On that fateful day, a motion was presented by Senator Ireti Kingibe.
The Demolition In Abuja
Kingibe raised alarm about the escalating nature of the demolitions in the FCT.
Kingibe stated: “It is further concerning that the demolitions in the FCT are no longer adhering to due process, resulting in significant hardship for many individuals who have endured substantial losses of properties valued in the billions of naira.”
“Note that the Federal Capital Administration, on the instruction of the Honorable Minister of Federal Capital Territory, embarked on massive demolition of structures within the Federal Capital Territory.
“Also note that the demolition, according to the FCT authority, was caused by illegal structures and the non-development of allocated plots of land by the FCT administration.
Due Process
“Concerned that in recent times, the demolition exercise in the FCT is no longer based on reasons adduced by the FCT administration that necessitated the demolition.
Further, we are concerned that the current demolition in the FCT is not in line with due process of court orders to demolish.”
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“Also concerned that at the moment, an estate by name Merss Paulosa, for which late Colonel Paul Osang Kwanwa of Bebo, is the chairman, is currently under revocation and demolition.
And from reliable information, the said plot of land was allocated to him in 1984 with the requisite title document.”
“And further concerned that the owner of this estate was a patriotic Nigerian who served the nation meritoriously and one of the first intakes of the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna, with registration number 001.”
Opposition
On the contrary, Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West, objected the motion.
To him, the minister should be allowed to fulfill his statutory duties without interference.
He proposed that an investigation be conducted into the demolitions that have occurred thus far.
In response, Senate President Godswill Akpabio advised the senator to set aside personal sentiments.
Expressing concerns of impending legal actions from properties owners against the government, Akpabio ordered that all ongoing demolitions in the FCT should be suspended pending the report by an ad-hoc committee, led by Senator Jibrin Barau.
