Abuja Residents and Property Owners Petition President Tinubu and Minister Wike Over FCDA’s Demolition Threats

In a pressing appeal for intervention, residents and property owners of the Committee on Resettlement and Development Layout (CRD) in Lugbe, Abuja, have petitioned President Bola Tinubu and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. The petition addresses the looming threat posed by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), which plans to demolish homes and reallocate lands to private developers, with a specific focus on constructing a Central Market.

The “Save Our Souls” petition, also dispatched to various government authorities including the Attorney-General of the Federation and the National Assembly, underscores the residents’ ordeal of relentless harassment by FCDA’s Development Control Department, in collusion with the River Park Estate developer.

The residents were startled to discover demolition notices on their properties on February 7, demanding compliance within 21 days. The notices, citing Section 61 of the Nigeria Urban and Regional Planning Act 1992, declared the structures as defective and a public nuisance.

Established in 1996, the CRD is a haven for numerous public servants and pensioners who have invested their life savings in developing their properties. The area was meticulously planned with essential infrastructures like schools, hospitals, and markets. However, recent actions by the FCDA, allegedly influenced by private developer Paul Odili, have left the community in a state of uncertainty and fear for their homes.

The residents accuse Odili of employing forceful tactics to extend his River Park Estate into the CRD area, disregarding legal titles and court orders. They implore President Tinubu and FCT Minister Wike to promptly address this issue to avert a potential crisis.

A dialogue with the Director of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, offered little solace, as he alluded to a re-design of the CRD layout that would impact many existing properties. The residents demand transparency and participation in any such planning, as they resolve to resist any unjust attempts to displace them.

This ongoing conflict underscores the necessity for a just and transparent approach to urban development in Abuja, ensuring the protection and respect of the rights of long-established residents.