APC chieftain, Imolehin tasks Wike to stop Nigeria Police from Abuja masterplan distortion
By Lanre Oloyede
A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and prominent Architect and Environmentalist, Tunde Imolehin, has advised Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to prevail on the Nigerian Police Force to quit the housing development it embarked upon around the popular Berger Bus Stop in Abuja.
Imolehin, who is the immediate-past Senior Special Adviser on Environment and Waste Management to the Honourable Minister of FCT, urged the Nigerian Police to respect the judiciary which is currently adjudicating over the matter and halt any further action on the project.
” I am aware there is a case in court over this matter but you do not need anyone to tell you that if we continue to legalise the abuse of the environment particularly in a model city like Abuja, one day we will all wake up to behold a much more hostile and unfriendly nation’s capital, Imolehin stressed.
The top APC stalwart advised the Honourable Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike to make the matter a test case if he truly wants to walk the talk of restoring the Abuja masterplan.
“I challenge him to use the controversial Police project as a test case. The Nigerian Police should pay attention to her bruised image and unfriendly barracks and institutions than plunge herself into an area where integrity, humanity professionalism and common sense are in top demand,” he said.
Imolehin asked the Honourable Minister to stop the project and rather build a world-class park that would enhance the wellbeing of the people and beautify the landscape and skyline of Abuja, adding that “it will be a huge dishonour to the tax-paying inhabitants of Abuja to allow such an unfriendly project to continue.”
Recall that an Abuja High Court has restrained the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and three others from altering, reconstructing, rebuilding the area designed for Parks and Recreation Cente (Berger Parks, Wuse zone 6, Abuja) for any other use except as designated by the Federal Capital Territory master plan pending the hearing and determination of suit filed by concerned residents of the area.
The trial Judge, Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme gave the interim order after an oral application to that effect by Mr. James Onyilo, counsel representing Hon. Haruna Saidu, Dr. Itonye Efebo, Sunday Uche, Moses Osiboh and Shehu Abba, who are listed as first to fifth plaintiffs in the suit dated June 20, 2023.
The plaintiffs had sued the FCT minister, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Nigerian Police Force Property and Construction Company Ltd and Brains and Hammers Ltd as first to fifth defendants for themselves and on behalf of the landlords and tenants of Wuse Zone 6 and other users of Berger Park and Recreation, Abuja.
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