FCTA demolishes structures at River Park Estate
The FCT Administration has stopped the development of more than 30 structures at River Park Estate for violating planning regulations. The administration accused the affected developers of proceeding with construction despite the withdrawal of their lease agreements and recommendations from a ministerial committee that all undeveloped plots in the estate be returned to the FCTA. […]
The FCT Administration has stopped the development of more than 30 structures at River Park Estate for violating planning regulations.
The administration accused the affected developers of proceeding with construction despite the withdrawal of their lease agreements and recommendations from a ministerial committee that all undeveloped plots in the estate be returned to the FCTA.
On August 8, 2025, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike inaugurated an ad-hoc committee to review controversies surrounding the River Park Estate.
The committee, led by Barr. Salman Dako, submitted its report last week, explaining that the revocation of undeveloped plots was necessary due to the expiration and breach of the Development Lease Agreement (DLA) and the need to reassert administrative control over the affected plots in line with Clause 9.2 of the DLA.
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The committee, however, directed that holders of previous “customary” titles whose plots fall within the River Park Estate boundaries and have been developed in accordance with applicable planning and development control regulations “be permitted to retain their titles.” The Director of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, who led enforcement officers to the site on Wednesday, said the action followed reports that developers were working day and night to bypass the directive.
“About a week ago, there was an event at the Honourable Minister’s office where two committees submitted their reports. One of the committees was on issues surrounding the River Park Estate development. And one of the recommendations put forward was that all undeveloped plots within the estates be returned to the FCT Administration,” Galadima said.
“So we got a report that certain developers are hurriedly working day and night to develop some of the vacant plots. As an agency, we served them a stop-work notice. This morning, we came and saw them working, so that’s why we are removing the structures. The excavations and all those structures were put on the ground.”
He disclosed that over 30 foundations had already been dug but insisted they would be filled in. “Whoever we see on-site, we remove it. So this is just the beginning. Luckily, they are just at the excavation level, but wherever we see any new development coming up, we will remove it,” he warned.