FCT minister Nyesom Wike has ordered an end to using green areas, parks, and gardens in Abuja as car dealership lots.

In a statement on Wednesday, the minister’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, said Mr Wike decried the use of areas designated for parks and recreation, such as Millennium Park, as car lots.

The spokesman said the FCT minister directed that all unauthorised use of designated areas would be closely monitored to ensure compliance.

“This is part of the efforts of the FCT Administration to manage flooding being experienced in some parts of the Federal Capital City,” Mr Olayinka said.

He disclosed that the minister has established a task force to enforce the directive.

The spokesman said the minister also ordered a probe into some civil servants accused of granting illegal approvals for the use of green areas as car dealership lots.

Mr Olayinka said the civil servants included the directors of parks and recreation, environmental protection, traffic management and urban affairs.

He added that the FCT head of service, Nancy Sabanti Nathan, has summoned the directors over the allegation.