By Sarah NEGEDU
Some workers of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, have petitioned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over alleged moves to privatise parts of land surrounding the Radio House complex in Abuja.
In the petition, the workers said land within the premises in Area 10, Garki, is being marked for private commercial use under arrangements presented as Public-Private Partnerships, PPP.
The document, titled “Forceful Take Over of Government Land at Radio House, Garki: An Appeal to Safeguard National Interest,” was signed by Nicholas James on behalf of concerned staff members.
Part of the letter states that, “The iconic government building the Radio House in Area 10 is on the verge of being destroyed by some powerful private greedy faceless individuals riding on the heels of a willing civil servant or government appointee who claim to have the Minister of Information backing.”
The workers alleged that a retired staff member of the corporation is working with a serving government official to take over land around the complex for private benefit.
“It is no longer news within the Radio House community where a parastatal of government through a retired staff in Federal Radio of Nigeria Corporation is trying to usurp the power of a substantive ministry by taking over the lands around the iconic Radio House building for pecuniary benefits.”
They further claimed that portions of the land have already been allocated, altering the outlook of the facility and raising concern over its long-term use.
“The said individual has gone far in destroying the beauty of the major landmark in Abuja by allegedly selling lands within government premises using his connection in government circles to his friends through PPP,” the petition added.
The workers also raised concern over the relocation of a mosque within the premises to a location near a church, warning of possible religious tension.
“Right now, he had started the relocation of the mosque from its present location to a place near the church building without considering religious harmony with serious future backlash, albeit selfishly,” the petition said.
They alleged plans to develop an event centre and other commercial structures within the premises, warning that the move could worsen congestion and strain existing parking space.
Security concerns were also raised. The workers noted that Radio House shares a boundary with the Army Headquarters.
“The proposed structures by this civil servant and his co-travellers will be a security breach as the Radio House shares boundary with the Army Headquarters, which is yet to be notified presumably,” the letter stated.
The staff further warned that existing commercial tenants within the premises could be displaced despite agreements requiring them to develop the facilities and pay ground rent.
They said the arrangement could eventually transfer control of the facilities to private operators, with implications for staff welfare and public access.
The workers urged the FCT Minister to halt the process and protect the property.
“Subsequently, we beseech the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike, CON, to urgently intervene by nipping in the bud this selfish adventure to a national treasure in the FCT bordering the Nigeria Army Headquarters Abuja,” the petition stated.
Neither the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation nor the management of FRCN had responded to the allegations as of press time.
