He said, “I haven’t started building, I just bought land for keeps from an indigene. I didn’t buy from the FCTA, I bought from the indigenes, and it is not every land or house from indigenes that will be revoked or demolished.
“There are some places that have been revoked. So, if they have been revoked, they would likely not touch those places. But for mine, it hasn’t been revoked, I just bought it and I’m trusting God that it is safe.”
Alhaji Kassim said the demolition would make life more difficult for the poor, adding that the government should first create an avenue for the survival of those whose houses may be demolished.
“Instead of looking for where to develop, Wike is looking for where to demolish. We have so many places that are not developed, let him do it first. And then, let them create a place where they can push people to.
“Even, if they want to demolish, if truly the government wants to work well, first create an avenue where they (people) can survive, then you can make a correction; if truly you are for correction,’’ he admonished.
A Kabusa resident, Chinedu Nwachukuwu noted, “Being his first day in office, the minister should have said things that would make residents glad to have him, rather than issuing threats. People living in Abuja are citizens of Nigeria, and their dignity needs to be respected by the government.’’
Stephen Aghedo, who also lives in Kabusa, warned, “This isn’t Rivers State where Wike ruled with impunity during his time as governor. This is the FCT, and he needs to be careful with his utterances and actions.”
Ade Ogundiran, a resident of Dogongada, said, “We only hope that the minister would do everything within the ambit of the law and not take irrational decisions that’ll affect residents and impede the development of the FCT.
“Mr Wike is known for talking too much, however, he should remember that there are people who bought their lands through the proper channels, and destroying properties built on such lands is illegal
But Juliet Ndichie expressed concern regarding the deteriorating status of the Federal Capital Territory as a modern city.
According to her, Abuja has become a safe haven for criminals, leading to a rise in various nefarious activities that pose a threat to its residents.
Ndichie, who lives in Dawaki, asked the new administration to tackle crime and make the city safe.
Martha Ibrahim, who stays in Lugbe, expressed support for Wike’s move to restore the master plan, arguing that it is in the best interest of the inhabitants.
On her part, Fatima Farouq said, “If Wike follows the Masterplan for the FCT, it will be for the growth and development of the city. It may seem difficult now, but in the long run, we will appreciate it.
Abuja was not like this and the way people are building houses anyhow, if care is not taken, we may not be able to control it, and it will be a shame to us as a nation.”
The Treasurer of the Nigerian Institute of Building, Lagos Chapter, Philips Ayotunde, endorsed the move to sanitise the FCT but cautioned against selective enforcement of the law and witch-hunt of opposition party members.
He said, “The question is if they would not be selective in their approach because that has often been the norm in Nigeria. Politicians often go after their political rivals. If only they would embrace fairness, justice, and transparency.
“I support the removal of buildings on development of green areas and removal of buildings without approvals. But they should not be selective in their approach.
“When you apply the law on those you are seeing as political rivals and the same law is exempted on your favourites, it would not result in fairness.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuer, Lagos State Chapter, Gbenga Ismail, lauded the move of the new minister, noting that buildings that complied with the master plan must be exempted.
He said, “Master plan is the beginning of everything and it is very important for a thriving state. However, the demolition must be applied to buildings not approved from the start. If in compliance with the master plan, it would be difficult to demolish.
“In addition, if there is an existing approval to build, then they have been permitted by law to have been in compliance. Once a builder is in compliance with the master plan, and they still go ahead to demolish it, then the owner has a case and can go ahead and take legal actions.”
A former President of the Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria, Moses Ogunleye, said it was a good drive.
“It is in line with the implementation of town planning policies, and adherence to the Masterplan is the foundation. We have beautiful plans in the country but we do not adhere to them, hence this is a good move if it would not be watered down by political influences. The FCT minister should go by his words,’’ he declared.
However, the Executive Secretary, Association of Housing Corporation of Nigeria, Toye Eniola, said beyond demolitions, there was a need to thoroughly investigate all those involved in the illegality.
He said, “If the demolition (exercise) was based on doing the right things and correcting anomalies that jeopardise the master plan and put the entire city or community in danger, l will surely be in support.
“I will never support illegality and building on a green area is the height of indiscipline which must not be condoned. Nigeria is where we are today because of the indiscipline which started at the highest level of governance which invariably extended to the governed.’’
“It would not be enough to pull down those houses but everyone involved in masterminding the illegal construction in government circles from approval processes to supervision must be brought to book,’’ he recommended.
The President, the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Nathaniel Atebije, observed there may be more illegal houses than legal homes due to the high number of land grabbers and poor number of building approvals granted annually.
He noted that the growing number of illegal houses and slums was worrisome, adding that a carrot-and-stick approach has to be employed to address the dire situation in the FCT.
He stated, “If you look at houses along airport road, all those massive developments are illegal, including those that look like an organised estate. I am sure quite a good number of them have no approvals because they were built by some land grabbers.
“There are illegal organised developments and there are illegal unorganised developments which is possibly why there may be more illegal houses than legal ones. In places like Chika, Durumi, Jabi, Garki and other settlements along the airport road, slums are still expanding and it is better to evaluate how those areas can be integrated, give them a facelift so they can fit into modern living rather than demolition.
“All over the axis of Abuja, there are illegal developments and the reason is that the government has not been able to adequately take care of the needs of the people. Illegal houses have continued to multiply because the government has not demonstrated a serious political will to resolve this issue. But with the new minister, a concrete solution will be designed by the government.”
On his part, the Chairman of the Abuja chapter of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria, Emmanuel Osilama, stated it would be inhumane to demolish houses without adequate compensation and consideration of the current economic situation, adding that alternative arrangements should be provided before demolitions could take place.
He also advised the FCT minister to commence a review of the Abuja master plan to deal with rural-urban migration and surge in population.
He said, “The truth is the FCT is truly looking dirty, but for slums to go, he may have to pay compensation because the provision of the law doesn’t allow them to move without compensation unless they are illegal slums. There are villages that are indigenous slums.
“I am sure the minister will be properly advised. He is just coming on board and will be properly advised. In the face of the current economic situation, it is not wise to just demolish houses without proper consideration and compensation because criminality will increase and everyone’s lives will be at risk. Alternative arrangements must be provided before any demolition is done.’’
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