Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Federal Housing Authority has demolished an estate worth billions of naira in Abuja, sparking outrage and anguish among developers and investors who claim they obtained all necessary approvals before construction. The authority, however, justified the action, insisting that the property was illegally built on land originally allocated to foreign ambassadors and diplomatic missions.
According to the FHA, the land in question falls within a designated diplomatic zone reserved for embassies and residences of foreign envoys. The authority said the developers encroached on the land without valid title and proceeded with construction in clear violation of the Abuja Master Plan. "The land was never allocated for commercial or residential development. It was set aside for diplomatic purposes, and any construction on it is illegal and cannot be tolerated," a senior FHA official said.
But developers and property owners have pushed back, insisting that they obtained all necessary approvals from relevant government agencies before investing heavily in the estate. One developer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the demolition as a devastating blow. "We followed due process. We had approvals from the Federal Capital Development Authority and other agencies. We invested our life savings into this project, and now it's all gone," he lamented.
Industry experts have warned that the demolition could further erode investor confidence in Abuja's real estate sector, which has already been grappling with land disputes and inconsistent government policies. "When developers obtain approvals and still face demolition, it sends a dangerous signal to both local and foreign investors," said a real estate consultant.
The FHA has, however, insisted that the demolition was carried out in line with the law and that the authority will not tolerate any encroachment on land designated for diplomatic purposes. The authority also urged developers to always verify the status of land before embarking on construction.
As of the time of this report, the affected developers and investors had not announced any legal action, but sources close to the matter indicated that they are considering all options, including seeking redress in court.
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