By GODWIN ABOGONYE GREENNET PROPERTY CONSULTS LTD. Abuja, Nigeria — Stakeholders in the real estate and housing development sector have called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to halt the allocation and conversion of green areas in Abuja for commercial or residential developments. The appeal came from the Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN), a leading civil society organization promoting sustainable housing and environmental development in Nigeria. The group warned that the ongoing conversion of parks, gardens, and green belts into private estates poses a serious threat to Abuja’s master plan, environmental balance, and livability.Green Areas: The Heart of Abuja’s Master PlanAccording to Festus Adebayo, Executive Director of HDAN, the FCT was originally designed with specific provisions for green areas to ensure environmental sustainability and a high quality of life for residents.“Abuja was carefully planned with spaces dedicated to greenery, open parks, and buffer zones. Sadly, these areas are now being encroached upon by unapproved developments, which not only violate the city’s master plan but also endanger its future sustainability,” Adebayo said.He explained that green zones are essential for regulating urban temperature, improving air quality, reducing flooding, and offering recreational spaces for residents. Converting these spaces into concrete structures, he warned, would create long-term environmental and social challenges.Encroachment Threatening Abuja’s LivabilityReports from housing, real estate, and environmental stakeholders reveal that several districts—including Guzape, Maitama, Wuse, Katampe, and Kado—have witnessed massive encroachment on areas originally reserved as green belts and utility corridors.Residents have also expressed growing concern over the conversion of open spaces into estates, noting that this has led to flooding, blocked drainage channels, and deteriorating air quality, especially during the rainy season.HDAN emphasized that the destruction of Abuja’s green areas is not just an environmental issue but also a matter of governance, accountability, and proper urban planning.Call for Action and Policy EnforcementThe group has urged the FCT Minister to: • Enforce the Abuja Master Plan strictly, • Conduct a comprehensive audit of all green zones, and • Promote transparent land allocation policies.Adebayo further called for collaboration between government agencies, urban planners, environmentalists, and real estate developers to promote a balance between growth and sustainability.“Cities around the world are adopting greener and more sustainable policies. Abuja must not go in the opposite direction,” Adebayo noted.“Protecting our green spaces is not negotiable—it is essential for the wellbeing of future generations and the overall beauty of our capital city.”Balancing Real Estate Growth with SustainabilityWhile acknowledging the rising demand for land in Abuja due to rapid urbanization, HDAN advised that such pressure should not justify the destruction of designated green areas. Instead, the FCT Administration should explore innovative real estate and housing policies that support growth without compromising environmental sustainability.For Abuja to remain a modern, livable, and eco-friendly capital, experts say the government must integrate green infrastructure into its development strategy and ensure responsible land use planning.⸻About Greennet Property Consults LtdAt Greennet Property Consults Ltd, we are committed to promoting responsible real estate development that aligns with Abuja’s vision of sustainability. Our mission is to help clients invest wisely in properties that not only appreciate in value but also contribute positively to the city’s environment and future.