HDAN Urges FCT Minister to Halt Allocation of Abuja’s Green Areas, Warns of Environmental Consequences
The Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN) has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to immediately suspend the allocation and conversion of Abuja’s designated green areas, warning that continued encroachment threatens the city’s environmental sustainability, livability, and long-term urban planning objectives.
HDAN, a civil society organisation advocating sustainable housing and urban development, stated that parks, gardens, and buffer zones originally set aside as the city’s ecological lungs are being converted into commercial and residential sites. The group cautioned that unchecked development could undermine Abuja’s master plan and expose the capital to serious environmental and infrastructural risks.
“Abuja was planned with deliberate provisions for green areas to support a healthy and liveable environment,” said HDAN’s Executive Director, Festus Adebayo. “The gradual takeover of these spaces not only violates the city’s design principles but also endangers its environmental future.”
Rising Environmental and Safety Risks
Adebayo emphasised that green areas play a crucial role in controlling temperature, improving air quality, reducing flooding, and providing recreation. Their disappearance, he noted, could worsen urban heat, congestion, and pollution.
Residents have echoed these concerns, pointing to increasing cases of flooding, burst sewer lines, and reduced air quality in districts such as Guzape, Maitama, Wuse, Katampe, and Kado areas where green belts and buffer zones have been built over. Experts also warn that structures near waterways and under power lines violate safety standards and heighten the risk of disasters.
Call for Policy Enforcement and Urban Accountability
HDAN urged the FCT Administration to enforce the Abuja Master Plan, conduct a full audit of designated green zones, and ensure transparency in land allocations. The group also called for collaboration with urban planners and environmental experts to balance development needs with sustainability.
“Cities across the world are integrating green infrastructure into their growth strategies. Abuja should not move in the opposite direction,” Adebayo said. “Protecting our green spaces is an environmental necessity and a governance responsibility.”
Towards a Sustainable Urban Future
While acknowledging the pressure of rapid urbanization on land availability, HDAN stressed that this should not justify compromising ecological integrity. The organisation urged the government to adopt innovative housing and planning policies that promote sustainable growth without eroding public green assets.
“This is the time for decisive leadership to safeguard what remains of Abuja’s natural heritage,” Adebayo concluded. “Green areas are not just decorative spaces; they are critical to the city’s resilience, public health, and identity.”
Conclusion
HDAN’s position adds to growing advocacy for sustainable urban management in Nigeria’s capital, as policymakers face the challenge of balancing development demand with environmental preservation. The group’s call underscores a wider national debate on responsible land use and the urgent need for policies that protect Nigeria’s urban ecosystems.
