Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has justified his decision to revoke Julius Berger’s certificate of occupancy (C of O) for a piece of land in the Katampe District, which had remained undeveloped for over two decades. The land, which was originally allocated to the construction giant, is now being repurposed for the construction of 40 new residential quarters for judges in the Federal Capital City.
Speaking at the official launch of the Design and Construction of the Judges’ Quarters in Abuja, Wike addressed the matter in the presence of Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem. He explained that the land, which had been idle for years, was identified as a suitable site for the much-needed judicial housing project, prompting the revocation.
“When we were looking for land to build these quarters, I saw this empty plot marked as Julius Berger’s,” Wike recalled. “I called the director of lands to confirm its ownership, and I was informed that the land had been allocated 15 to 20 years ago, yet nothing had been done.”
Wike revealed that upon learning of the situation, he made the decision to revoke the company’s C of O. He added that while he had invited the Managing Director of Julius Berger for dinner, they did not discuss the land issue directly. “The next day, he received the revocation letter,” Wike stated, underscoring that the move was made purely in the public interest.
The minister was clear that the revocation was not a personal or punitive decision against Julius Berger but a practical measure aimed at addressing the urgent need for housing for members of the judiciary. He stressed the importance of efficiently using undeveloped land, especially when it can serve critical public purposes.
“How will the government allocate land for over 20 years and nothing happens?” Wike questioned. “Thank God they didn’t develop it; now we can use it to build homes for our judges.”
The project, which is part of Wike’s broader efforts to improve the infrastructure and working conditions of the judiciary in Abuja, highlights his focus on maximizing the potential of underutilized land for critical projects. He expressed his determination to ensure that vital infrastructure such as judicial housing is prioritized in the FCT, where land is both a valuable and limited resource.
Wike’s decision has been met with mixed reactions, with some praising the minister’s boldness in reclaiming idle land for public use, while others have raised concerns about the manner in which the revocation was carried out. However, Wike emphasized that his administration is committed to transparency and public interest, ensuring that land allocated by the government is used for its intended purpose.
In addition to the 40 Judges’ Quarters, Wike’s administration has embarked on several other initiatives aimed at improving the FCT’s infrastructure and addressing longstanding developmental challenges. The minister has also pledged to continue reviewing cases of undeveloped land in the territory to ensure that such assets are not wasted, particularly when they can be repurposed for projects that serve the greater good.
Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun and Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, who were present at the launch, expressed their gratitude for the new housing initiative, noting that it would greatly enhance the judiciary’s living and working conditions.
