By Nehemiah Anini for The Chronicles of Construction
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has demolished Boulevard Park in Maitama, citing violations of park policies and infractions against the Abuja Master Plan.
The enforcement exercise, carried out last week, was supervised by the Director of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, represented by Assistant Director Dr. Sherif Razak.
Officials said Boulevard Park, originally designated as a recreational space, had been grossly misused and overbuilt.
“When you look around, you cannot identify a single recreational facility, even though it is designated as a recreational park. Instead, the park is simply overbuilt,” Galadima explained.
Investigations revealed that the park had been converted into worship centres, revival grounds, and restaurants operating under unhygienic conditions.
Authorities alleged that the park also harbored people of questionable character, raising safety and environmental concerns for nearby residents.
It was confirmed that some individuals were even living within the premises, with mattresses and personal belongings recovered during the demolition.
“This is a gross violation of the park policy and the Abuja Master Plan,” Galadima said.
He also hinted at the possibility of drug-related activities and other unlawful gatherings within the facility.
Galadima emphasized that the demolition followed due process:
- Notices were served to occupants.
- A grace period was granted to remove belongings.
- Documentation was kept as evidence of violations.
“We are not here to destroy property. Enough time was given for them to salvage their goods before the enforcement exercise,” he noted.
The FCTA stated that it plans to redefine and reassign parks in the city to ensure they meet global best practices.
Previously, Abuja’s parks were categorized as either active or passive recreational spaces. Moving forward, the administration intends to reallocate parks with clear themes and stricter monitoring.
“The spirit of the master plan is to create a city where people can live, work, and recreate,” Galadima added.
In addition, the FCTA noted that the cost of the enforcement may be recovered from the park’s former operators, whose allocation has now been revoked.
As part of the wider citywide operation, the FCTA also cleared illegal structures and shanties at Cashew Garden in Apo Cadastral Zone E27, described as a known criminal hideout.
The agency stressed that maintaining the Abuja Master Plan is critical to urban order, safety, and environmental sanity in the capital city.
At The Chronicles of Construction, we see this demolition as more than just enforcement — it raises crucial questions about urban planning, public safety, and how recreational spaces should function in a modern city.
Stay with us as we continue to unpack the stories behind Nigeria’s built environment.
