The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has extended the ‘develop or revoke’ order issued to religious organisations, as the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, yesterday, exempted them from the three months ultimatum earlier issued to owners of undeveloped plots.

Wike said the administration would extend the ultimatum for religious groups since they largely depend on free will donations for sustenance. The minister gave the extension when he received the Board of the National Mosque, led by its Chairman, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar.

The board was at the FCTA to seek clarification on the status of the plots where it was directed to halt development during the construction of the Outer Southern Expressway.

Abubakar said work was due to start on the plot located opposite the Yar’Adua Centre before a stop-work notification was issued to the management of the mosque.

The board also used the opportunity to seek support to complete the ongoing renovation of the FCT National Mosque, which was carried out by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) before the inauguration of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He said the National Mosque was recognised as a national monument by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who initiated a fund-raising for the renovation of the edifice.

Meanwhile, in his response, the FCT minister said the revocation order issued to owners of abandoned projects and plots was not targeted at any individual or groups, but rather to change the landscape of the territory and to discourage criminals from hibernating in them.

He added that no government would hesitate to support the renovation of a national monument, be it mosque or a church. He added that whatever assistance had been in place for the National Mosque will be sustained, if not improved upon.

Wike also used the opportunity to clarify the controversies surrounding the alleged demolition of a mosque in Rivers State while he served as governor of the state. He said the allegation was a political move spread by his opponents as no mosque was demolished during his tenure as governor.