A civil society organisation, the Grassroots Centre for Rights and Civic Orientation, has called on the Federal Capital Territory Administration to halt developments on designated green areas in Abuja. The centre warned that continued conversion of such spaces into concrete structures could worsen the nation’s capital environmental challenges, particularly flooding. This call was made by the executive director of the organisation, Armsfree Ajanaku.
According to Ajanaku, the protection of green spaces is a matter of public interest, environmental sustainability, and adherence to the rule of law. He stressed that Abuja’s original master plan and environmental regulations must be respected. A disputed property in the FCT, which was designated as a green area under the Abuja master plan, was cited as an example of the need for the government to enforce these regulations.
The GRAPO director warned that Abuja must not be allowed to lose its green spaces to unregulated concrete development. He noted that the city’s greenery remained one of the features that distinguished it from other major Nigerian cities. Ajanaku linked the depletion of green areas to the growing environmental challenges confronting the FCT, particularly flooding, which has been severe this year.
Ajanaku expressed concern that he had never witnessed the level of flooding recorded in Abuja this year, despite living in the territory since 2012. He stated that the environment should be regarded as a collective heritage rather than the private estate of individuals or organisations. The continued conversion of green spaces into shopping malls, housing estates, and other developments could have serious consequences for residents and future generations.
The GRAPO executive director also urged the government to comply with Nigeria’s international environmental commitments and ensure that developments within the FCT conformed with existing planning regulations. He alleged that some of the disputed developments had also affected public infrastructure, including streetlights installed with public funds, which had been removed.
Ajanaku called on the FCT authorities to immediately stop developments encroaching on designated green areas and restore the spaces to their original purposes. He noted that there was a reason why those areas were designated as green areas in the first place. The organisation is pushing for the government to take action to protect the environment and prevent further flooding.
The issue of environmental degradation and flooding in Abuja has significant implications for the well-being of residents and the sustainability of the city. The call by GRAPO for the government to halt developments on green areas and respect the master plan is a timely reminder of the need for sustainable development and environmental protection.
Key points
- The Grassroots Centre for Rights and Civic Orientation has urged the FCT Administration to halt developments on designated green areas in Abuja.
- The organisation cited concerns over environmental challenges and flooding as the reason for its call.
- The executive director of GRAPO, Armsfree Ajanaku, stressed that the protection of green spaces was a matter of public interest and environmental sustainability.
