As part of efforts to address persistent land use violations and restore order in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister Nyesom Wike on Friday, August 8, 2025, inaugurated two ad-hoc committees with a two-week deadline to review key issues and submit actionable recommendations.
The first committee, chaired by Barrister Salman Dako, General Counsel/Secretary of the Legal Services Secretariat, will investigate disputes surrounding River Park Estate and alleged breaches of agreements between the FCT Administration and estate developers. Wike said the review is aimed at correcting anomalies in the mass housing project, warning committee members to maintain professionalism and avoid external or internal influence.
The second committee, led by Mukhtar Galadima, Director of Development Control, will examine widespread land use violations in Abuja, particularly cases where properties’ original purposes—such as residential—have been illegally converted to commercial use without approval. The committee is tasked with recommending penalties, title revocations, or formal conversion charges in line with the Abuja master plan.
Wike also directed relevant departments, including Lands, AGIS, Development Control, and Urban and Regional Planning, to compile a comprehensive list of ground rent defaulters from 2022 to 2025. He emphasised that recovering these funds was critical to financing infrastructure projects in the newly approved 2025 FCT budget, which has been signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The 2025 budget has been assented to, but without funds, we cannot execute projects that will positively impact our people. We must work tirelessly to ensure compliance and generate the needed revenue,” Wike said.
