By Abdullahi Lukman
A coalition of housing and environmental stakeholders has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to stop the ongoing conversion of Abuja’s designated green areas into residential and commercial developments.
The group, Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN), raised the alarm over the growing trend of allocating parks, gardens, and buffer zones for private construction, warning it threatens the city’s environmental integrity and long-term livability.
Speaking during a media briefing, HDAN Executive Director Festus Adebayo stressed that these green zones are vital for air quality, flood control, recreation, and urban climate regulation.
“Abuja was carefully planned to include green areas to support a healthy, sustainable environment. What we are seeing now is a direct violation of the city’s master plan,” he said.
HDAN warned that continuous encroachment on these areas could lead to severe urban consequences, including flooding, traffic congestion, increased pollution, and public health risks.
Residents have also expressed concerns about developments in districts such as Guzape, Maitama, Katampe, and Kado, where green belts and utility corridors are reportedly being fenced off and built upon.
Adebayo described the trend as not only an environmental issue but a governance and accountability crisis.
He urged the FCT Minister to enforce the Abuja Master Plan, halt further conversions, and commission a full audit of green zones across the territory.
Experts have echoed these concerns, cautioning that developments near waterways and under power lines breach safety regulations and could trigger disasters.
With the rainy season exposing vulnerabilities in drainage and infrastructure, HDAN says the city is already feeling the impact of this unchecked development.
“Other global cities are prioritizing green infrastructure for sustainable growth, but Abuja risks moving in the opposite direction,” Adebayo said, calling for stronger collaboration among urban planners, housing advocates, and environmental professionals to chart a more balanced path.
While acknowledging the pressures of urban expansion, HDAN emphasized that sustainable planning—not the sacrifice of green space—is key to meeting Abuja’s growth needs without compromising future generations’ wellbeing.