WHY WE DEMOLISHED OVER 30 STRUCTURES IN RIVER PARK ESTATE -Galadima
By: Wisdom Acka
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Wednesday, 10th September 2025, demolished more than 30 structures in River Park Estate, Lugbe, Abuja.
Director, Department of Development Control, FCTA, Tpl. Muktar Galadima, who led the demolition exercise, explained that the Administration took the decisive action to halt the illegal development of more than 30 substructures within River Park Estate.
Galadima, who disclosed this while speaking to journalists after the exercise, blamed the illegal developments on blatant violations of established planning and development regulations.
According to him, the developers disregarded several warnings by the authorities.
He said: “These developers, now facing the consequences of their actions, proceeded with construction despite the withdrawal of their lease agreements and clear recommendations from a ministerial committee.
“The committee had advised that all undeveloped plots in the estate be reclaimed by the FCTA to restore order and compliance.”
Abuja Digest recalls that, following the unending issues surrounding the estate, the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, had, on August 8, 2025, inaugurated an ad-hoc committee to address the lingering controversies.
That committee, chaired by Barrister Salman Dako, submitted its findings last week, revealing that the revocation of undeveloped plots was justified due to the expiration and breach of the Development Lease Agreement (DLA), stressing that clause 9.2 of the DLA empowers the FCTA to reassert control over these plots.
We can also inform that the committee, however, upheld fairness by recommending that holders of previous “customary” titles who developed their plots in line with planning regulations should retain their rights, thus aligning with a subsisting court judgment referenced in paragraph 16.3 of the committee report.
Meanwhile, Galadima led his enforcement officers to the estate on Wednesday after receiving reports that developers were working frantically to circumvent the directive.
He further explained: “We served them notices to stop work, yet they persisted. Today, we removed all illegal structures, including excavations. This is just the beginning; any further violations will face the same fate,” he warned.
The Development Control boss disclosed that over 30 illegal foundations had been dug, all of which will be filled, warning that repeating the offences would attract prosecution.
“The Legal Secretariat will determine the next steps, but accountability is inevitable,” he added
The FCTA actions underscore its commitment to enforcing order and protecting the integrity of Abuja’s master plan. Let this serve as a stern reminder: compliance is not optional, Galadima warned.
