The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered a crackdown on unauthorised car dealerships operating in Abuja’s designated green areas.

Mr Wike, who made the declaration after inspecting ongoing projects in Abuja on Saturday, warned that defaulting vehicles would be impounded and auctioned, and that their locations would be permanently shut down.

He expressed deep frustration over the illegal conversion of public parks and green belts into commercial auto marts, saying, “Parks have now turned to where they sell vehicles.”

He blamed the development largely on corrupt elements within the civil service who issued fraudulent allocation papers to unauthorised operators without ministerial approval.

“Before you know it, they’ve given out allocation papers to people to turn the green areas into where they will be selling vehicles.

“Even when you talk about development control, the Minister is not the one who gives approval for building.

“These things are done by departments and agencies of government. But until it comes to our notice, then you see whether we will take action or not,” he said.

Now fully aware of the widespread violations, Mr Wike revealed that the FCT Administration had established a specialised task force to enforce immediate compliance and restore the city’s original master plan.

“As this has come to our notice, we’ve set up a task force. If you don’t leave the green area, we’ll carry your vehicles. In fact, maybe we will auction them.

“So, any vehicle we find in designated green areas, we will impound those vehicles; we’ll shut the place down. So, that is what we are going to do. Just give us time,” he said.

The minister said the directive signals imminent enforcement to clear illegal park conversions and hold rogue government officials accountable. 

(NAN)