Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has reiterated his commitment to enforcing compliance with ground rent payments, stating that he will not succumb to sentiments or blackmail in his efforts to hold defaulting property owners accountable.
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja during the handover of 50 Hilux vehicles to security agencies, the minister issued a stern warning to construction companies against land grabbing. He clarified that lands allocated to these companies for operational purposes do not automatically confer ownership rights.
Addressing controversies surrounding his recent decision to revoke certain plots of land, including one linked to Niger Delta activist Chief Rita Lori Ogbebor, Wike challenged those claiming ownership of revoked lands to produce valid documentation to substantiate their claims.
“Let me use this opportunity to tell Nigerians and residents of Abuja: we are not afraid of blackmail. In fact, you cannot be in this type of position and expect not to be blackmailed, particularly as regards Abuja,” Wike said.
He emphasised, “We will stop anybody who thinks they can obtain government land without formal approval. If you like, you can be a civil rights activist. If you like, you can be a television talker. What is wrong is wrong. No amount of blackmail can stop us.”
The minister further pointed out that inaction by previous administrations does not validate illegalities. “That you did something 15 years ago does not mean it is right. The mere fact that nobody tried to tell you it is not right does not make it right,” he added.
Wike also cited Julius Berger as an example, noting that the construction company was directed to vacate the central business district after completing its projects.
“When the Julius Berger came to Abuja they asked for a site for them to do their construction. That site does not mean it belongs to Julius Berger. Julius Berger has finished their job. They have to quit the land.”
“You cannot tell me if they give you a site because of your construction you finish, the land now turns to be your own. Is it possible? Show me the document that it belongs to you. I am not that kind of person you can think that you go on television and start saying you have lived on the land for over 20 years. And so what? You are a squatter. If you like, go and carry everybody. What is wrong is wrong.”
Addressing those attempting to blackmail him into reversing land revocation decisions, Wike said, “You go behind, you tell people to beg me, then you go on television to tell people that they came to take your land and you said the land was allocated to a Rivers man. So what? So, a Rivers man is not entitled to have land in Abuja? You will tell me who is that person that is entitled to have land in Abuja. You can’t tell me that. If you want me to go and publish names of people who have land in Abuja, I will go and publish, let Nigerians see. If you want land, you know the right thing to do. You know the right step to take. Through blackmail you won’t get it. You won’t get it.”
Speaking on claims involving family businesses, Wike added, “If your husband had a company who did a job for Abuja and had a site to stay, that doesn’t make it your husband’s property. It doesn’t. It is for you to come and say please, we have this problem, how can you help us? And not to begin to blackmail people and tell them to go to social media that Mr. Wike has come to take your land and he gave it to a House of Representatives member.”
The minister further noted that claims of discrimination based on gender hold no weight when it comes to upholding the law. “Oh, I am a woman. What’s that? Because you’re a woman, you will go and carry government land? Let anybody tell the person, bring your documents to show that the property is yours. I have published it in newspapers, and people thought I was joking,” he added.
It would be recalled that a few months ago, Wike distributed another set of 50 Hilux vehicles to security agencies in the FCT. He also announced the construction of 12 police divisions across the six area councils to enhance security in the territory.
“The Commissioner of Police requested additional police divisions, and as I speak to you now, we are building 12 police divisions across the six Area Councils. They are ongoing, and by the grace of God, before April next year, we believe those police divisions will have been finished and furnished, and then we will hand them over to the CP. This is to enhance security in those areas. Emphasis will not be on one area. Emphasis will be on the satellite towns, rural areas, and the city. Everywhere is important to us,” he stated.
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