By Our Correspondent
ABUJA — Concerned employees of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) have appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, to urgently intervene and stop what they described as an alleged attempt to forcefully take over portions of government land surrounding the iconic Radio House complex in Abuja.
In a petition addressed to the FCT Minister and signed by Nicholas James on behalf of “Concerned Staff,” the workers alleged that influential private interests were seeking to appropriate parts of the Radio House estate for commercial purposes under the guise of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
The petition, titled “Forceful Take Over of Government Land at Radio House, Garki: An Appeal to Safeguard National Interest,” warned that the development could undermine the integrity and public image of one of the Federal Capital Territory’s most prominent government institutions.
According to the petitioners, the Area 10, Garki headquarters of the national broadcaster is under pressure from what they described as “powerful, faceless and profit-driven private actors” allegedly working in collaboration with individuals within government circles.
“The iconic government building, Radio House in Area 10, is about to be ruined by some mighty, faceless, greedy private players riding on a compliant civil servant or appointee who claims to have the Minister of Information’s backing,” the petition stated.
The workers further alleged that a retired FRCN employee, in collaboration with a serving official, was spearheading efforts to take control of land surrounding the broadcasting complex.
“It is now common talk within Radio House that a government agency, through a retired FRCN staff, is trying to override the authority of the parent ministry by grabbing land around the iconic Radio House for personal profit,” they claimed.
The petition also alleged that portions of federal government land within the premises had already been ceded to private interests, altering the character and aesthetics of the complex.
“The individual has gone far in wrecking the beauty of a key Abuja landmark by allegedly selling off plots inside government property, using political connections to pass them to friends through PPP,” the workers alleged.
A major concern raised in the petition relates to the reported relocation of a mosque within the premises to a location near the church building, a move the staff warned could threaten the religious harmony that has existed within the complex.
“At the moment, he has begun relocating the mosque from its current site to an area close to the church building, ignoring religious harmony and risking serious future fallout, all for selfish gain,” the petition read.
The workers also opposed reported plans to construct a private event centre and other commercial facilities within the estate, arguing that such developments would further worsen congestion at a facility already struggling with limited parking space.
According to them, the proposed structures would increase traffic challenges for staff, visitors and business operators within the complex.
Security implications also featured prominently in the petition. The employees noted that Radio House shares a boundary with the Nigerian Army Headquarters and expressed concern that relevant security authorities may not have been adequately consulted.
“The structures being pushed by this civil servant and his allies would create a security risk, since Radio House borders the Army Headquarters, which has apparently not been notified,” the petitioners stated.
The workers further alleged that existing food vendors and restaurant operators within the premises could be displaced despite existing agreements requiring them to upgrade facilities and pay annual ground rents. They argued that handing the facilities to private managers could result in increased costs for workers and visitors.
Appealing directly to the FCT Minister, the staff urged him to halt the proposed development and protect what they described as a national asset.
“We therefore appeal to the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike, CON, to urgently intervene and crush this selfish move against a national treasure in the FCT, right beside the Nigerian Army Headquarters in Abuja,” the petition concluded.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation nor the management of FRCN had issued an official response to the allegations.
The claims contained in the petition could not be independently verified, and those accused of involvement had not publicly commented on the matter.
