The Traffic

FCTA Issues Demolition Order for 10 Duplexes in Wumba Over Abuja Master Plan Violation

By Achimi Muktar

In a dramatic move to enforce the Abuja Master Plan, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has ordered the demolition of more than 10 high-end duplexes illegally constructed in the Wumba District of Abuja.

The structures, some already roofed and others still under construction, were found to be sitting squarely on green spaces — areas reserved for environmental preservation and public use — and built without the necessary government approvals.

The directive, handed down by the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), was made public following a site inspection led by AMMC Chairman, Felix Obuah, who announced that the Development Control Department will carry out the demolition within 48 hours.

“In less than 48 hours, everything here will go down,” Obuah warned, standing amid the yet-to-be-inhabited structures. “This is a clear violation of the Abuja Master Plan, and we will not tolerate it.”

Illegal Construction Meets Swift Justice

The affected duplexes were not only built without permits but were also erected on land specifically designated for green spaces — a direct challenge to the city’s original urban vision. Authorities said despite multiple invitations to the developers to submit legal documents, no valid approvals were presented.

The AMMC Chairman emphasized that Abuja’s master plan was designed to harmonize urban growth with environmental protection. The illegal takeover of green areas, he said, undermines this balance and sets a dangerous precedent.

Environmental Experts Sound the Alarm

The FCTA’s move is not just about restoring order — it’s also a response to growing concerns over environmental degradation.

Director of Parks and Recreation, Chidemelu Echee, highlighted the ecological risks of replacing natural green zones with concrete buildings. “When green areas are compromised, we risk long-term environmental damage that affects everyone,” she said.

Echoing her concern, Osilama Braimah, Director of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, warned that eliminating green areas accelerates urban flooding by reducing water percolation and groundwater recharge.

“When concrete covers everything, water has nowhere to go,” Braimah explained. “It raises flood risks and dries up boreholes and wells. That’s why preserving green spaces is non-negotiable.”

What This Means for Abuja Residents

This bold action by the FCTA signals a renewed commitment to enforcing development rules and protecting the integrity of the city’s layout. Residents and developers alike are being warned: violations of the Master Plan will no longer go unchecked.

As the countdown begins and bulldozers rev their engines, the Wumba duplexes serve as a stark reminder that in Abuja, building big without following the rules can lead to a swift and public fall.