Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed emotional appeals over the planned redevelopment of Jabi Lake, stressing that decisions on land use in Abuja will be guided strictly by due process and public interest.
He made the remarks on Wednesday while reacting to a video of the senior pastor of Family Worship Centre, Sarah Omakwu, who had gone on her knees to plead with him not to hand over the Jabi Lake recreation area to private developers.
Wike explained that his administration met a poorly managed situation at the site, revealing that the land had been allocated to a company for over 15 years without any meaningful development..
Wike said;
“You talk about the woman kneeling down and begging. I’m not carried away by such emotions. Begging to do what? Who owns Jabi Lake?
“How does it become your own? First of all, I came on board; that place was given to a company that said they wanted to turn it into an entertainment place, but they have turned it into shanties.
“One of these days I went there and said, ‘This can’t be; there is a hotel, and who would come to stay in that hotel when there are shanties all over?’ You don’t know if there are criminals.”
He maintained that the government cannot rely on sentiments when making decisions, adding that the redevelopment is necessary to restore order and improve the area.
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Strong head
Wicked man