Abuja’s identity as a carefully planned, environmentally balanced capital is under renewed scrutiny as residents and experts raise concerns over the rapid conversion of designated green areas into residential and commercial developments.
Created to symbolize national unity and architectural order, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was designed with strict environmental zoning, ensuring a balance between infrastructure and nature. Green buffers, parks, and open spaces were integral to the Abuja Master Plan.
Green Zones Meant for Flood Control Now Under Threat
Urban planners note that Abuja’s green areas were not decorative spaces but functional environmental assets. They were established as floodplains, drainage buffers, and corridors for essential utilities, from sewage lines to electricity distribution.
With parts of these zones now allocated for housing and commercial use, analysts warn that the city is drifting from its original design principles. Recent flooding incidents in Wuse, Asokoro, and Guzape are cited as early consequences of unchecked development.
Experts Warn of Long-Term Environmental and Urban Risks
Environmental analysts argue that building on green zones could trigger long-term problems, including reduced air quality, temperature increase, and strain on water and power infrastructure. As congestion rises, property values and livability may decline.
The Abuja Master Plan mandates that at least one-third of the FCT must remain green. Development Control guidelines further require vegetation and preservation of natural landscapes in all approvals. Critics say these rules are being overlooked.
Legal Questions Emerge Over Green Area Conversions
Residents and legal experts are also questioning the Ministry’s powers to convert designated public green spaces. The FCT Parks and Gardens Agency was established through a Federal Government Gazette, meaning any alteration to its lands may require legislative approval.
Some reports indicate that certain developments on green areas may have continued despite existing court restrictions.
Cycle of Policy Reversals Threatens Abuja’s Future
Efforts by previous administrations to restore the Abuja Master Plan have repeatedly been reversed, creating a cycle of enforcement, violation, and public distrust. Urban planners warn that if the trend continues, the damage may become irreversible.
Converting parks and buffer zones for short-term revenue and private development may seem beneficial now, but experts argue that the environmental and economic costs will eventually outweigh the gains.
Stakeholders Call for Immediate Action
Environmental stakeholders insist that the FCT Administration must halt further encroachment on green areas and reclaim those already converted. Only a return to disciplined, sustainable planning, they argue, can keep Abuja aligned with its founding vision — a modern capital that blends growth with environmental harmony.
