Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike, insisted on Tuesday that there is no going back on the resolve to demolish illegal structures in the territory.

He also said the government would not extend the two-week grace given to owners of Abuja plots who have refused to make the necessary payments.
Speaking shortly after an inspection visit to ongoing infrastructural development projects in Abuja, Wike said he would not be distracted by complaints arising from the demolition exercises.

“I have never complained of distraction. Nothing distracts me. I am very focused, and even if people are complaining, it is part of governance. You don’t expect that you will superintend over the affairs of people and then satisfy everybody,” he stated.

The minister, who vowed to remain focused on his mandate, noted that people must complain, but I can tell you such complaints cannot distract us.

“I am very focused. And since it is part of our job, we continue to do what is necessary. Forget about what people say about demolition; demolition must go ahead.

READ ALSO: Pro-Wike lawmakers condemn Fubara’s 2025 budget presentation to three people

“We demolish shanties, we demolish illegal buildings. It doesn’t matter what anybody will say. At the end of the day, they will still come back to say, “you did a good job,” he added.

Wike said he would not bother about what people say, provided that he remains focused.

“What’s important to you, are you right? Be focused. At the end of the day, you achieve the result for a greater number of people, not for a few individuals,” the minister stressed.

On the revocation of plots, the minister said that only those who had paid would have their plots intact.

“As to whether there will be another grace, I don’t think we will do that. Like I have always said, Nigerians don’t like to comply. These allocations were done more than 10 years ago. It was not as if it was done during our own time, and you know Abuja does not have anything other than property to tax, for us to have development,” he stated.

“Our interest is not to have the lands back, our interest is for them to pay so we can use the funds for the development of the FCT. Now, we are talking about roads. How will you get the roads done without people complying and paying? So, we will not. I don’t think we will want to give another date of grace. After it expires, we will reallocate all those lands to other people who are interested.”