The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revealed that he revoked the land allocation previously granted to construction giant Julius Berger in Abuja’s Katampe District.
Speaking during the official flag-off ceremony for the design and construction of 40 judges’ quarters in Abuja, Wike explained that he had been searching for land for the project when he discovered the Julius Berger site.
Upon further inquiry, he found that the land had been allocated to the company 15 to 20 years ago but had remained undeveloped.
The event was attended by key figures, including Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun and President of the Court of Appeal Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem.
Talking in the direction of the Chief Judge, he said, “My Lord, let me bring to your notice. You have seen this land here. When we were looking for where to get land to build. I was driving around looking for empty land and I got here and saw this empty land.
“I saw the big post: ‘Julius Berger’. I didn’t talk. I called the director of lands (and asked him): who owns that land? And he said: Julius Berger. When was it allocated? He said about 15, 20 years ago. 15, 20 years ago? Nothing has been done? I didn’t bother.
“So, I invited the MD (Managing Director of) Julius Berger. He came and we had dinner. I didn’t talk about the land. The next day, he was in the office and he saw the revocation letter as a matter of public interest.
“He called me and said but I had dinner with you. I said yes; we had dinner but we didn’t discuss the land.
“How will the government allocate land for more than 20 years for organisations to develop and they did not develop it? Thank God they did not develop it and now we can have it.”