Wike Orders Immediate Demolition Of 30 Structures On Ring Road 3 Corridor

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Thursday ordered the immediate demolition of about 30 buildings allegedly encroaching on the Right of Way of the Ring Road 3 corridor linking Karsana, Gwarinpa and Kubwa in Abuja.

Wike issued the directive during an on-the-spot inspection of ongoing road infrastructure projects across the FCT.

The order followed a briefing by the acting executive secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr Richard Dauda, who drew the minister’s attention to illegal structures located directly within the designated infrastructure corridor.

Dauda, while explaining the progress of work at the site, said construction of the foundation for the second bridge along the route was progressing despite the rocky terrain.

“Here is rocky; there is no piling, so they have already started the foundation. It won’t delay, so bridge works will continue,” he said.

He explained that the project corridor was located within Karsana District and linked the area to the Kubwa Road and Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX), extending towards the Airport Road.

“This is Karsana District now, with all the estates. To this side is Kubwa Road, the Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX), and this is now the corridor of Ring Road 3 up to Airport Road.

“It is where the flyover here will terminate, and then Ring Road 3, when it comes, will continue this way,” Dauda stated.

According to him, approximately 30 buildings had encroached on land reserved for the Ring Road 3 infrastructure corridor under the Abuja Master Plan.

The disclosure visibly angered Wike, who immediately directed officials of the Department of Development Control to commence enforcement action and demolish the affected structures.

“We will have to demolish this right now. Demolish the building down. How can it be like this? It is even a road, it’s not even a layout, it’s an interchange, the leg,” the minister said.

Wike stressed that private structures and other forms of illegal development would not be permitted to obstruct critical public infrastructure or undermine the Abuja Master Plan.

He directed relevant FCT authorities to take decisive action against developments encroaching on designated road corridors, warning that the administration would continue to protect infrastructure rights of way across the capital city.