The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended the FCT land allocation policy, saying critics and media organisations attacking the process had also benefited from it.
Wike spoke on Thursday in Abuja during the inspection of ongoing projects across the Federal Capital Territory.
NPO Reports recalls that the minister in a media chat had on Wednesday accused Channels TV, a media organisation headquartered in Abuja, of profiting from a land property allocated to the station in Guzape in 2007.
The media organisation, however, dismissed Mr Wike’s statement as incorrect, noting all the required fees and statutory charges connected to the land were duly paid.
The FCT minister said land allocation is a normal government policy designed to attract investors and support urban development in Abuja.
He accused some critics of hypocrisy over complaints about the allocation of land to diplomats and investors.
Wike also criticised media organisations opposing the policy, describing media houses as commercial businesses that rely on adverts, sponsored programmes and paid coverage to survive.
According to him, media organisations are not charity groups because they generate revenue from advertisements and commercial news activities.
“When you live in a glass house, don’t throw stones. You were given land, and you are not among the poor, so why complain now?” Wike said.
The minister rejected claims that the FCT Administration was selling land in Abuja.
He explained that the government only allocates land based on development agreements and investment conditions.
“The FCT does not sell land; it allocates it based on specific conditions,” Wike said.
He added that all beneficiaries, including diplomats, must pay processing fees before receiving their Certificates of Occupancy.
Wike said some of the controversial land allocations were approved by previous administrations.
He stressed that government policies continue even when leadership changes.
The minister warned that land owners must develop allocated properties according to agreed conditions or risk losing them.
He cited Jabi Lake as an example, saying some land allocated in the area over 20 years ago remained undeveloped.
According to him, the government later reclaimed the land and reassigned it to new investors ready to develop the area.
Wike also dismissed arguments that prime land in Abuja should only be reserved for poor residents.
He said major locations in the FCT require heavy investment to become world-class centres.
“I will always stand by the truth,” the minister said.
Wike added that his administration would continue to focus on practical development policies instead of seeking public praise.