According to a report by the Punch on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has firmly dismissed calls to halt the planned redevelopment of Jabi Lake, insisting that government decisions will not be swayed by emotional appeals or public pressure.
Wike made this position clear during a media interaction in Abuja while reacting to a widely circulated video showing the Senior Pastor of Family Worship Centre, Sarah Omakwu, pleading for the preservation of the Jabi Lake Recreation Centre. The cleric had appealed passionately against handing over the facility to private investors, highlighting its importance as a social and recreational space for residents.
In his response, the minister maintained that such sentiments would not influence policy direction, stressing that the land belongs to the government and must be managed in line with established planning laws and developmental goals. He questioned the basis of personal claims over the area and reiterated that decisions concerning public land must prioritise broader economic and urban development interests.
Addressing the emotional appeal directly, Wike said, “To the woman who was crying, if she likes let her call God to come down. What is my business?”
He explained that the current administration inherited a poorly utilised arrangement at the lake, where a company had held the allocation for over a decade without meaningful development. According to him, the site had deteriorated into an area filled with makeshift structures rather than the modern recreational hub initially envisioned.
Wike noted that the government had no choice but to revoke the previous allocation and seek credible investors capable of transforming the area into a functional and attractive destination. He added that new agreements would include strict timelines and conditions to ensure accountability and prevent a repeat of past failures.
The minister also emphasised that the redevelopment initiative is part of a broader effort to improve infrastructure and attract investment into the Federal Capital Territory. He assured that any new development at Jabi Lake would be designed to benefit the general public while boosting tourism and economic activity.
He further dismissed claims that the policy could discourage investors, pointing instead to ongoing engagements with international partners who have shown interest in collaborating with the administration. According to him, visible progress across Abuja continues to validate the government’s approach…Read_More…