Construction work is progressing on a residential estate being developed on land originally designated for a public hospital in Abuja’s Wuye District, despite sustained opposition from residents, urban planning experts and civil society groups.
A visit to the site on Monday revealed intense construction activity, with more than 20 structures already at different stages of completion within the fenced property.
Workers were observed carrying out building operations across the estate, while trucks delivered construction materials to the site.
The development is taking place on Plot 546, Cadastral Zone B03, Wuye District, a 3.171-hectare parcel of land originally reserved in the Abuja Master Plan for a district hospital intended to serve residents of Wuye and surrounding communities.
The land, located opposite the Wuye Ultra-Modern Market and adjacent to the Wuye Police Station, was later redesignated for residential use and allocated to Full Moon Estate Developers Limited following approval by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
Residents Express Disappointment
Residents have continued to condemn the conversion, arguing that the district urgently requires a public healthcare facility rather than another private housing estate.
A resident, Ahmed Usman, said many stakeholders had expected the authorities to reconsider the decision after widespread public criticism.
“We expected that after the concerns raised by residents and professionals, the authorities would review the decision. Unfortunately, construction is moving ahead as if our concerns do not matter,” he said.
According to him, the rapid population growth in Wuye has increased the need for accessible healthcare services.
“We need a hospital more than another private estate. The district continues to expand, and access to public healthcare remains a challenge for many residents,” he added.
Another resident, Mrs. Ngozi Okonkwo, lamented that appeals by residents appeared to have been ignored.
“It appears our voices were not heard. The land was meant for a public hospital that would benefit the entire community. Today, we are watching residential buildings replace a critical public facility,” she said.
She urged the FCTA to prioritise public welfare and social infrastructure when making decisions on land use changes.
Stakeholders Raise Planning Concerns
A community stakeholder, Musa Ibrahim, described the pace of development on the site as worrying, noting that many residents initially believed the project would be suspended pending a review.
“When the issue became public, people expected the authorities to halt construction and investigate the circumstances surrounding the conversion. Instead, construction has accelerated and more structures have emerged,” he said.
He warned that frequent alterations to designated land uses could undermine the integrity of the Abuja Master Plan and threaten the orderly development of the Federal Capital Territory.
Development Control Earlier Queried Project
Earlier reports revealed that Plot 546 was originally designated for a district health facility under the Abuja Master Plan.
Following public criticism, the Acting Director of the FCT Development Control Department, TPL Bashir Madaki Sanusi, confirmed that the plot was initially reserved for a health centre.
He, however, explained that approval for the residential estate was granted after his department received official communication from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning indicating that the land had been redesignated for residential purposes and allocated to a private developer with ministerial approval.
Sanusi disclosed that he had initially queried the development proposal after discovering that the submitted building design did not align with the original land use designation.
He further stated that Development Control subsequently ordered a temporary halt to construction and requested fresh verification of the land use status from the Urban and Regional Planning Department.
According to him, the outcome of the verification process would determine the future of the project.
Construction Continues Amid Uncertainty
Despite the earlier directive and ongoing public concerns, construction activities were observed continuing across the site during Monday’s visit, with multiple structures already erected.
Efforts to obtain an update from the FCT Development Control Department on the status of the verification process and the legality of ongoing construction were unsuccessful as of press time.
