Wike blasted over alleged Illegal allocation of Green Areas for luxury apartments
Wike blasted over alleged Illegal allocation of Green Areas for luxury apartments
Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, over the alleged illegal allocation of a designated green area in Maitama Extension, Abuja, for the construction of luxury duplexes.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page on Friday, Mr Adeyanju described the development as a blatant distortion of the Abuja Master Plan, accusing the minister of prioritising private profit over public safety and environmental sustainability.
He alleged that about 20 luxury duplexes are currently under construction on the protected green area, warning that the development poses serious environmental risks, particularly flooding during the rainy season.
“I have just discovered that about 20 duplexes are being constructed on a designated green area in Maitama Extension. Even more alarming is the fact that the developers have realised there is no access road to the estate and have resorted to converting a canal into a road,” Mr Adeyanju said.
“One can only imagine the environmental disaster and severe flooding that Maitama Extension will face during the rainy season. How do you fence off a green area and then proceed to turn a natural water channel into a road, all in the name of greed?” he added.
Mr Adeyanju further questioned how the Department of Development Control could have approved the project, insisting that allocating green areas for residential development undermines established urban planning standards.
“This is a blatant distortion of the Abuja Master Plan, and it raises serious questions about how Development Control could have approved such a project in the first place. Wike allocated a green area to someone to build residential houses on it,” he alleged.
Responding to the allegations, the minister’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, said the FCT Minister has the authority to change land use from green areas to residential zones.
Speaking in an interview with Sahara Reporters, Mr Olayinka said he was not fully aware of the specific issue, noting that Maitama Extension covers several locations.
“First of all, I have been out of the country recently, so I’m not fully aware of the specific issue you are referring to. Secondly, Maitama is not just one location. When you say ‘Maitama,’ you need to be specific because it covers several areas,” he said.
He added that proper clarification would require consultation with the Department of Development Control.
“What I want you to understand is that land use is not static. It can be changed, provided the necessary approvals are obtained,” Mr Olayinka explained.
According to him, green areas are typically designated for non-residential purposes such as parks, recreation, or sports facilities, but stressed that the FCT Administration reserves the power to alter such designations when necessary.
“It is within the powers of the FCT Minister to approve changes in land use,” he said.
Mr Olayinka also cited instances where residential plots were converted to commercial use without prior approval, noting that authorities often allow developers to regularise such changes rather than impose sanctions.
“Changing land use is not something to sensationalise or treat as if a crime has automatically been committed. Government planning evolves. Today, an area may be designated for roads, and 10 or 20 years later, that plan may change,” he added.
