Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has announced the seizure of 7,000 hectares of land out of 11,000 hectares previously owned by the University of Abuja (Uniabuja).
Wike said that the University illegally took up huge amounts of land in the Giri district and fenced it off.
Speaking on Monday during the launching of newly constructed access roads in the area, the FCT Minister stated that university authorities may sell the site in the future.
“The University alone took 11,000 hectares. I stated that this will not happen. No document, nothing. You see them fence everything, and before you know it, they’ll have gone to sell our land,” Wike explained.
The minister authorized the Director of Lands and other appropriate Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) authorities to allot only 4000 hectares to the institution, with the remainder earmarked for other district development projects.
He also stated that access roads would be built within the district to promote rapid infrastructural development and make the area more favorable and acceptable for human habitation.
“After completing this access road, we have instructed the Executive Secretary of FCDA and other relevant authorities to begin working on specifics for the district’s roads. So, rest confident that maybe next year, things will be different,” Wike remarked.
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The Minister also hinted at plans to collaborate with the National Assembly to create other institutions in the district, promising FCTA’s assistance with land provision to expedite the process.
“The EFCC Academy in the district is expected to open soon following the completion of the new access road.
“They will begin the academy immediately because they now have access roads where they can transfer their equipment and grow it. And when this happens, you may expect additional individuals to move in and build their own areas,” he explained.
Wike pledged that the FCTA will offer basic utilities like roads, water, and electricity to entice investors.
“The majority of the issues we’re dealing with here are that when land is allocated, there are no facilities or infrastructure, and people are not encouraged. So, we will do everything we can to ensure that fundamental infrastructure is given,” he stated.
