The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has directed the immediate stoppage of the use of green areas, parks and gardens in Abuja as car dealership lots.
Wike gave the directive in response to the recent flooding recorded in some parts of the nation’s capital, stressing the need to preserve areas designated for parks and recreation.
The Minister, who decried the conversion of areas such as Millennium Park and other green spaces into car lots, has also constituted a task force to enforce the directive and ensure compliance.
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He further ordered the investigation of some civil servants alleged to have granted illegal approvals for the use of green areas as car dealership lots.
In a statement issued to newsmen on Wednesday by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister, the directive was described as part of efforts by the FCT Administration to address flooding in the Federal Capital City.
The statement read in part, “This is part of the efforts of the FCT Administration to manage flooding being experienced in some parts of the Federal Capital City.
“Consequently, a Task Force has been set up to enforce this directive.
“Also, the Minister has directed the investigation of some civil servants responsible for granting illegal approvals authorising the use green areas as car dealership lots.”
Olayinka added that the affected civil servants, particularly the Directors of Parks and Recreation, Environmental Protection, Traffic Management and Urban Affairs, had been summoned by the FCT Head of Service, Nancy Sabanti Nathan.
The Minister also directed that all unauthorised use of the affected areas be closely monitored to ensure compliance with the directive.
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