Minister Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital
Territory FCT, stormed Plot 1946 in Gaduwa District, Abuja, on Monday following
reports that the disputed parcel of land allegedly linked to a former Chief of
Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (retd) had been taken over by soldiers.
While speaking at the location of the property, Wike expressed anger that government officials from the FCT Department of Development Control while attempting to enforce a stop-work order earlier issued by his office were chased away from the site by armed soldiers.
The Minister attempted to enter the plot, but the
troops stopped him with a truck.
According to Wike, the situation came to his notice when the
FCT officials found that the developers lacked legal authority or legitimate
documentation for the site.
“You are aware that the land departments and Development
Control have been mandated to monitor illegal developments and land grabbing in
the FCT.
“When this matter was brought to my attention, I directed
that nothing should take place on that plot since there were no legal documents
or urban regional approvals. Unfortunately, I was informed that soldiers chased
our officials away”, he said.
Wike said he was shocked to hear that the property had been
seized by soldiers purportedly acting on the orders of the former Naval Chief.
“I don’t understand how someone who once occupied such a high
office cannot come to the FCT Minister to explain his situation but instead
uses soldiers to intimidate people. I am not one of those who will succumb to
blackmail or intimidation”, he added.
According to him, when development control officials asked
for the necessary land documents and building approvals, none were produced.
“How can we continue to allow lawlessness to prevail in this
country? What about those who do not have the military or security forces to
protect them?” The minster asked.
The Minister emphasized that such behavior would not be
accepted under his leadership and condemned any attempt to obstruct lawful
government enforcement measures by using security personnel.
He said that he had already spoken with the Chief of Naval
Staff and the Chief of Defense Staff, who gave him their word that the issue
would be settled peacefully.
“We are not here for confrontation or to cause chaos, but I
will not allow illegality to thrive. The same way we enforce the law in other
parts of Abuja is the same way we will do here. No one, not even a former Chief
of Naval Staff, is above the law,” Wike echoed.
0 Comments