Wike Orders Closure of Illegal Abuja Car Lots

Nyesom Wike has ordered the immediate closure of illegal car dealership lots operating on green areas, parks and gardens across Abuja.

The FCT Minister also directed the administration to monitor the affected locations closely and prevent their use for activities outside their designated purposes.

The directive appeared in a statement issued on Wednesday by Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka.

Wike expressed concern about the conversion of land reserved for parks and recreation into car dealership spaces. He cited Millennium Park and other similar locations as examples of areas affected by the practice.

The minister said the action forms part of efforts by the FCT Administration to tackle flooding in parts of the Federal Capital City. Green areas and parks can play an important role in managing stormwater, making their protection a key concern for the authorities.

To ensure that the directive is enforced, Wike ordered the creation of a task force to monitor the affected locations and ensure that operators comply with the order.

The minister also directed an investigation into civil servants who allegedly granted approvals for the use of green areas as car lots.

“An investigation has been ordered into some civil servants who granted illegal approvals for the use of green areas as car dealership lots. The affected officials, particularly the Directors of Parks and Recreation, Environmental Protection, Traffic Management and Urban Affairs, have been summoned to explain their roles,” the statement said.

According to the statement, the officials have been summoned by the FCT Head of the Civil Service, Nancy Sabanti Nathan, to explain their involvement in granting the approvals.

The latest directive reflects the FCT Administration’s effort to preserve designated recreational spaces and prevent unauthorised commercial activities from taking over public green areas.

The authorities are now expected to maintain surveillance of the affected locations and ensure that closed car lots do not return or reappear under different uses.

Do you think stricter enforcement is needed to protect Abuja’s green spaces and reduce flooding?