Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, responded to Pastor Sarah Omaku, over her emotional appeal against the alleged commercialisation of Jabi Lake Recreation Centre, saying he will not be swayed by sentiment in carrying out government decisions.
The minister, who spoke during a media chat with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, questioned the basis of the appeal, insisting that land administration in the FCT must be guided by law and approved development plans rather than emotional considerations.
Recall that the Senior Pastor of Family Worship Centre, Abuja, Sarah Omakwu, had on Sunday knelt before her congregation and appealed to the FCT Minister not to allow Jabi Lake Recreation Centre to be given to private interests.
According to her, “I cannot fight the minister of the FCT. I cannot. But I go on my knees as a mother in this land that Jabi Lake Recreation Centre should not be given to anybody.
“That is where people go for exercise. That is where people sell. That is where people meet and hobnob and get married. That is where people go to watch games. That is where young people go to. I beg you, Mr Minister, in the name of God, as a mother, to not sell that land to anybody.”
The fiesty pastor added that, “I can’t fight you. But I can beg you in the name of God Almighty that that land be left for everybody. I beg you. Please heed our call.”
However, Wike maintained that the administration would not be guided by emotional appeals, insisting that the public asset would be protected and properly developed in line with the Abuja master plan.
He also queried ownership claims around the facility, while defending ongoing enforcement actions around the Jabi Lake corridor, which he said had been left undeveloped for years and taken over by shanties and unauthorised structures.
According to him, the land was originally allocated for a world-class recreational and commercial project similar to what is obtainable in cities like Dubai, but had not been developed as agreed.
“They were not carried away by such emotions. Who owns a million? How does it become their own?”
“First of all, I came on board and saw that this was given out to one company for more than 15, 16 years and they claim that they want to invest, they want to turn it around, make it an entertainment centre, what you have in Dubai, a city walk. When you go there, you see shanties. They’ve turned it into shanties.”
Wike added that the condition of the area had raised concerns about safety and proper use of public spaces, stressing that the government could no longer allow long-term abandonment of prime assets.
“For 15 good years, nothing has happened. The moment I revoked it, all kinds of calls are coming. I don’t want to mention names,” he said.
He explained that the administration had begun revoking undeveloped allocations and would continue to reallocate such land to serious investors willing to deliver on agreed timelines.
“So now I give it to people who want to invest. If you are not ready, we take it back,” he said.
