Wike questions University of Abuja’s landmass

….alerts police to develop land allocated to them

As the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), gears up for scores of project inaugurations to mark President Bola Tinubu’s second year in office on May 29, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike is not only inspecting projects but is also raising uncomfortable questions about land hoarding by public institutions.

The Minister disclosed this to newsmen in Abuja on Friday after an inspection of the 15-kilometre OSEX Road leading to Wassa, being handled by CGC Construction, culminating at the road leading to the EFCC Academy.

Wike who expressed satisfaction over the pace and quality of work done by the contractors, was visibly unimpressed with the size of land acquired by the University of Abuja, and voiced strong concerns over what he described as “land grabbing in the name of education.”.

He did not spare the Nigerian Police either, who were put on notice over undeveloped parcels of land allocated to them years ago.

He said: “We are very happy with what we are seeing and the quality of jobs. Mr. President will be happy too when he comes to inaugurate them. This is what it means to keep promises made,” Wike said.

“You can’t deny development where a university will go and take over 1,000 hectares of land, for what purpose? We’ve been to universities across the country. Just grabbing land is not what makes a university; it is infrastructure and quality.

“What future are we talking about?” Wike fired back when asked if the land might be for long-term expansion.

“Before you know it, they will begin to lease it out. If you don’t develop it, the government will take it back and give it to those who will.”

Pressed on whether the administration would reclaim the land, the Minister said, “Don’t jump the gun. Let the Director of Lands come to me. We’ll invite the university and the Police and ask why they’ve not developed the area.” He stated.

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