16/10/2025
The Housing Development Advocacy Network has urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to halt the allocation and conversion of designated green areas in Abuja.The group warned that turning parks, gardens, and buffer zones into residential or commercial plots threatens environmental sustainability and the city’s master plan.According to HDAN’s Executive Director, Festus Adebayo, green areas play a vital role in cooling urban temperatures, improving air quality, reducing flooding, and providing recreation spaces.He said, “The destruction of these areas is not just an environmental concern but a governance issue; Abuja risks losing its liveability and environmental balance.”HDAN cited instances in Guzape, Maitama, Wuse, Katampe, and Kado, where designated green belts have been fenced off or converted into private developments.The group called on the FCT Minister to enforce the Abuja Master Plan, conduct a comprehensive audit of all green zones, and collaborate with urban planners and environmentalists to preserve the city’s ecosystem.“Cities worldwide are embracing greener policies,” Adebayo said. “Abuja must not move in the opposite direction. Protecting green spaces is vital for the wellbeing of future generations.Residents have also raised the alarm over the conversion of Abuja’s designated green belts into estates and private developments.In several districts such as Guzape, Maitama, Wuse, Katampe, and Kado, areas originally mapped as utility corridors and environmental buffers have been fenced, cleared, and built upon. This trend, they warn, is already taking a toll on the city, with flooding, burst sewer lines, and worsening air quality becoming more frequent, particularly during the rainy season when natural water channels are obstructed. They also caution that unchecked development could worsen traffic congestion, deprive children of recreational spaces, and expose communities to health and safety risks.