The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has seized thousands of hectares of land from the University of Abuja, recovering 7000 out of the 11,000 hectares the institution had fenced off in the Giri District without proper documentation.
Speaking at the commissioning of newly constructed access roads in the area, Wike accused the university of appropriating large portions of land illegally.
“The University on their own grabbed 11,000 hectares. I said that will not happen. No document, nothing. You see them fencing everywhere, and before you know it, they would have gone to sell our land,” Wike stated.
The minister directed the Director of Lands and other relevant FCTA agencies to allocate only 4000 hectares to the university while the rest would be reallocated for planned development projects in the district.
Wike assured residents and stakeholders of his administration’s determination to provide infrastructure that will encourage development and improve living conditions.
He announced that internal road construction within the district would soon commence.
“Having created this access road, we have told the Executive Secretary of FCDA and other relevant agencies to start working on details of how we are going to do the roads within the district. So, be assured that maybe next one year, it will be a different thing,” he said.
The minister also hinted at plans to work with the National Assembly to establish more institutions in the district, pledging FCTA’s support for land provision to fast-track the process.
“The EFCC Academy in the district is expected to begin operations immediately following the completion of the new access road.
“They will start the academy immediately because now they have access roads that they can move in their equipment and develop this. And when this comes, you see that other people will also move in and develop their own area,” he said.
Highlighting how poor infrastructure discourages development, Wike promised to provide essential amenities such as roads, water, and electricity to attract investors.
“Most of the problems we’re having here is that sometimes when you allocate land, there are no facilities, no infrastructure, and people are not encouraged. So, we will do everything we can to see that basic infrastructure is being provided,” he said.
