The Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN) has appealed to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike, to reconsider the ongoing demolition of housing estates in Abuja, saying it amounts to colossal waste amid harsh economic situation.
HDAN said it is advocating for a confiscation and repurposing approach, which would see properties redirected towards essential housing needs rather than demolition.
Speaking to journalists over the weekend at a demolition site in Lugbe, HDAN’s executive director, Festus Adebayo, raised concerns over the economic impact of demolishing valuable assets, saying, “Demolishing entire estates is a colossal waste, especially in the current economy.”
He underscored the need for alternative strategies that retain and repurpose properties for societal benefit, noting that, “Rather than tearing down these estates, we should consider transforming them into workforce housing estates.”
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He warned that the ongoing demolitions would harm developers and homeowners and could dampen real estate investment in the FCT, and potentially have ripple effects across Nigeria’s economy.
Adebayo also questioned the transparency and accountability of Abuja’s land management, adding that, “If the developers have lost their estates, those FCDA site officers who allowed the buildings to reach that level must also be punished.”
He further called for the release of the phase five Abuja City Development Plan, which has been delayed for long, as it could help prevent future unauthorised developments.
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