‘I WON’T BE INFLUENCED BY SENTIMENT’ — WIKE ON JABI LAKE CONTROVERSY
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By; Ganiyat Sunmola
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has insisted that emotional appeals will not shape government decisions regarding the redevelopment of Jabi Lake, stressing that land administration in Abuja must strictly follow due process and serve the public interest.
Wike made the remarks on Wednesday while reacting to an appeal by the senior pastor of Family Worship Centre, Sarah Omakwu, who had urged him not to allocate the Jabi Lake recreational area for private development.
According to reports, Omakwu had shared a video on Instagram where she knelt in plea, asking the minister to preserve the facility for public use.
In his response, Wike said his administration inherited a poorly managed arrangement at the site, noting that a company had held the land for over 15 years without significant development.
He maintained that he would not be swayed by sentiment, questioning the basis of the appeal and reiterating that the property belongs to the government, not individuals.
The minister explained that the original allocation had been revoked due to non-performance and would now be reassigned to investors capable of developing the area in line with approved plans.
He added that the new allocation would come with strict conditions, warning that any failure to develop the land within the stipulated timeframe would lead to another revocation.
Wike emphasised that the move is aimed at ensuring the site is properly developed for the benefit of the public, rather than left in a deteriorated state.
He also cited instances of land misuse, including a case where a religious structure was allegedly built on land designated for recreational purposes, stressing that such violations would no longer be tolerated.
The minister reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring order in land use across the Federal Capital Territory, insisting that all developments must comply with established regulations.
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