The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has said the demolition of shanties, illegal buildings and enforcement of payment of ground rent will continue in 2025.
Wike gave the update following the inspection of the ongoing construction of Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX), Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal and Saburi-Dei Dei road, in Abuja on Tuesday.
He stated that he would not be distracted by the controversies the demolition was causing, adding that he was focused on the task.
“Nothing distracts me. I am very focused,” Wike replied when asked by journalists whether the outcries over ongoing demolition and enforcement of ground rent may cause a huge distraction in 2025.
“Even if people are complaining, it is part of governance. You don’t expect that you will superintend over the affairs of people and then you satisfy everybody.
“People must complain, but I can tell you such complaints cannot distract us. I am very focused, and since it is part of our job, we will continue to do what is necessary.
“Forget about what people say about demolition, demolition must go ahead. We demolish shanties, we demolish illegal buildings. It doesn’t matter what anybody will say.
“At the end of the day, they will still come back to say, ‘You did a good job.’
“So, don’t bother about what people say, be focused and at the end of the day, you will achieve results for a greater number of people, not for a few individuals,” Wike said.