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.

The post Construction Advances on Wuye Hospital Land Despite Residents’ Opposition appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

A fire outbreak on Friday affected a section of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja, prompting the swift deployment of emergency responders to contain the blaze and prevent further damage.

The cause of the fire had not been officially established as of press time, while firefighters and other emergency personnel were seen battling the flames to bring the situation under control.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing thick smoke billowing from the affected section of the hospital, triggering concern among patients, visitors and healthcare workers within the facility.

Authorities had yet to confirm whether any casualties or injuries were recorded in the incident. The extent of damage to hospital infrastructure and medical equipment also remained unclear at the time of filing this report.

Investigation underway

Officials are expected to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the affected area once the fire is completely extinguished.

The investigation will seek to determine the cause of the outbreak and evaluate the extent of losses incurred by the hospital.

Hospital management had not issued a detailed statement on the incident as of press time, although efforts were ongoing to secure the facility and ensure the safety of patients and staff.

Hospital faced scrutiny in 2025

The latest incident comes nearly a year after FMC Jabi attracted national attention over allegations of negligence involving members of its emergency unit.

In June 2025, the Federal Government ordered an investigation following the circulation of a viral video showing accident victims allegedly left unattended after being brought to the hospital by a good Samaritan.

The incident sparked widespread public outrage and renewed discussions about emergency healthcare delivery in public hospitals.

Following the controversy, hospital management launched an internal probe and maintained that the emergency department had adequate medical supplies and patient-care equipment. The Federal Ministry of Health also directed an independent investigation into the matter.

Rising concerns over fire incidents

The fire at FMC Jabi adds to a series of fire outbreaks recorded in the Federal Capital Territory in recent months.

Earlier incidents affected parts of the Federal Secretariat Complex, Karimo Market and other commercial areas in Abuja, resulting in significant property losses and renewed concerns about fire safety compliance.

In December 2025, a major fire also destroyed goods and structures at the popular wood market behind Jabi Upstairs before emergency responders successfully contained the blaze.

Calls for improved safety measures

The recurring incidents have intensified calls for stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations in public institutions and critical infrastructure across the FCT.

Safety experts continue to advocate regular electrical inspections, routine emergency drills, functional firefighting equipment and stronger compliance with fire prevention protocols, particularly in hospitals, markets and government facilities.

As emergency personnel continued efforts to contain the fire, residents and stakeholders expressed hope that authorities would swiftly determine the cause of the incident and implement measures to prevent future occurrences.

The post Fire Guts Section of FMC Jabi in Abuja, Emergency Responders Battle Blaze appeared first on Housing TV Africa.