The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate stoppage of the use of green areas, parks and gardens in Abuja as car dealership lots.

Wike, who expressed concern over the growing conversion of areas designated for recreation and environmental purposes to commercial activities, directed the enforcement of the ban across the Federal Capital City.

The directive, contained in a statement issued yesterday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, is part of measures by the FCT Administration to address flooding in parts of the capital.

The minister specifically frowned at the use of areas designated as parks and recreational spaces, including parts of the Millennium Park, for car dealerships and other unauthorised activities.

He directed that all unauthorised use of such areas should be closely monitored to ensure compliance with the directive.

To enforce the order, Wike has approved the establishment of a task force to monitor green areas, parks and gardens and ensure that they are not converted for unauthorised commercial purposes.

The minister also ordered an investigation into the activities of some civil servants allegedly responsible for granting illegal approvals for the use of green areas as car dealership lots.

Consequently, affected officials, particularly directors in the Departments of Parks and Recreation, Environmental Protection, Traffic Management and Urban Affairs, have been summoned by the FCT Head of Service, Nancy Sabanti Nathan.

The development comes amid growing concerns over flooding in parts of Abuja, with the FCT Administration increasingly focusing on the protection of natural drainage channels, green spaces and other areas considered important to the city’s environmental management.

The minister’s latest directive is expected to strengthen enforcement against activities that undermine the city’s physical planning regulations and environmental safeguards.