FCTA Demolishes Boulevard Park, Maitama, for Master Plan Violations

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has demolished Boulevard Park in Maitama, Abuja, citing violations of park policy and breaches of the Abuja Master Plan. The enforcement, carried out on Tuesday, was led by the Department of Development Control, which said the facility had been misused and overbuilt far beyond its approved designation as a recreational space.

According to Assistant Director Dr. Sherif Razak, who represented Development Control Director Mukhtar Galadima, Boulevard Park had strayed significantly from its approved purpose. The site, originally designated as a recreational park, had been converted into worship centres, revival grounds, and restaurants operating under unhygienic conditions. Officials noted that the park failed to provide any recognisable recreational infrastructure. Instead, the space was overdeveloped and allegedly harboured individuals of questionable character, raising security and environmental concerns for surrounding residential areas.

Due Process and Enforcement

Galadima stressed that due process was followed before the demolition exercise. Notices were issued to operators, and a grace period was granted to allow occupants to remove their belongings. During the operation, officials confirmed that some individuals had been residing within the park, which violated Abuja’s land-use policies.

“We are not here to destroy property. Enough time was given for them to salvage their goods before the enforcement exercise,” Razak said. He added that evidence showed the premises had been used as a place of abode, a clear breach of the Abuja Master Plan.

Reassignment of Parks

The FCTA stated that it intends to redefine and reassign city parks to ensure they serve their intended functions. Galadima explained that the administration has resolved to reclassify parks into active and passive categories and redevelop them in line with global best practices.

“This will ensure residents of the city have proper recreational spaces,” he said.

The allocation of Boulevard Park’s operators has been revoked, and officials signalled that the government may also recover the cost of the demolition under urban and regional planning regulations.

Broader Enforcement Drive

The Maitama demolition is part of a wider citywide operation aimed at maintaining environmental order and urban security in Abuja. In August, the FCTA demolished over 1,000 illegal structures in Karsana, Gwarinpa, to open a major road corridor. Similar exercises have been conducted in areas such as the “Cashew Garden” in Apo Cadastral Zone E27, where shanties and unapproved structures were cleared.

Outlook

The FCTA has reiterated its commitment to enforcing the Abuja Master Plan, warning residents and developers to comply strictly with land-use specifications. The administration maintains that its urban control measures are necessary to safeguard security, restore order, and ensure that Abuja develops in line with its original design as a city for living, working, and recreation.