By Eunice Orike
Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA, has stopped more than 30 ongoing substructure developments at the River Park Estate, Abuja, over violations of planning regulations.
According to the Administration, developers proceeded with construction despite the withdrawal of their lease agreements and recommendations by a ministerial committee that all undeveloped plots in the estate revert to the FCTA.
It will be recalled that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, on August 8th 2025, inaugurated ad-hoc committees to review disputes surrounding River Park Estate.
The Barr. Salman Dako-led committee, in its report submitted last week, said the revocation of undeveloped plots became necessary due to expiration and breaches of Development Lease Agreements (DLA), citing Clause 9.2 of the DLA as the legal basis.
However, the committee recommended that holders of “customary” titles who had already developed their plots in line with planning and development control regulations should retain their titles, in line with an existing court judgment.
Director of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, who led enforcement officers to the site on Wednesday, said the clampdown followed reports that developers were working day and night to outpace the directive.
“About a week ago, the Honourable Minister received two committee reports, one of which addressed issues around River Park Estate. One of the recommendations was that all undeveloped plots be reverted to the FCTA.
We got reports that some developers were hurriedly working, so we served them notice. When we returned and still found work ongoing, we had to remove the structures,” Galadima explained.
He disclosed that over 30 foundations had already been dug.
“Luckily, they are just at excavation level. We will cover them. Any new development we find will also be removed,” adding that prosecutions could follow”, he said.
On speculation that Paulo Homes was behind the development, Galadima said the matter would be clarified by the legal secretariat.
“From the committee’s report, the development lease agreement had already expired. The legal secretariat will determine the next line of action, including possible prosecution,” he added.
Some residents complained of hardship caused by the enforcement. Pastor Chimdi Obwe, who lives in the adjoining Ciarudi area, said part of his property was affected.
“I was stopped from accessing my house for a long time. They suddenly blocked our exit, my fence was demolished, and now I can’t even access our cars. My family has had to pack out. That’s the problem,” he lamented.
