The reallocation of this land to a private company raises concerns about transparency, accountability, and the potential mismanagement of public assets.
The Transparency and Accountability Network (TAN), a civil society organization, has accused the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike of reallocating a public transport utility meant for the National Railway Station to a private entity.
TAN, however, urged President Bola Tinubu to investigate the alleged conversion of the public transport utility, while demanding to know how the national asset was reallocated to a private company, NY New Construction Limited, despite warnings from relevant agencies in the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
According to Comrade Michael Briggs, TAN's National Coordinator, in a statement made available to SaharaReporters on Thursday, the FCT Minister approved the grant of Statutory Right of Occupancy over plot 1398 (A00) Central Area District measuring about 5.50Ha designated as Public Transport Utility (National Railway Station) to a private company on August 30, 2024.
Briggs emphasised that plot 1398 was initially reserved for the development of the National Railway Complex, aimed at providing seamless national railway services.
The reallocation of this land to a private company raises concerns about transparency, accountability, and the potential mismanagement of public assets.
Briggs further explained that the National Railway Station in the Central Area was designed to offer top-tier railway services connecting the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with other parts of the country. The station aims to ensure a seamless transfer for passengers traveling on the National Railway to the city's metro and bus systems.
The statement partly read, "Your Excellency, the National Railway Station located in the FCT is a vital piece of national infrastructure, designed to serve thousands of commuters daily, and connecting major cities across the country.
"The recent decision by your favourite Minister of FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, to convert this public asset for private use is a matter of grave concern and raises serious questions about transparency, accountability, and the prioritization of public interest.
"The decision to convert the railway station was a clear violation of public trust. National railway infrastructure is a public asset held in trust by the government for the benefit of all citizens. Converting it, therefore, for private gain undermines this trust and sets a dangerous precedent.
"Your Excellency, the process leading to the decision to convert the station, has been shrouded in secrecy, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest and lack of due process.
"We are still at shock of the hypocrisy of Minister Wike, who on live television accused past FCT Ministers of allocating bus terminals to a private company. Today, this same man is allocating national railway station to his cronies.”
Briggs used the medium to call on President Tinubu to immediately halt the conversation and order a transparent public inquiry into the decision-making process that led to this action, adding that there are documents to support their claims when called upon.
"We know that you have doffed your hat for this 'hard working Minister', but we are appealing to you to take immediate action on this national asset and uphold the principles of public trust, transparency, and accountability," TAN appealed.
When SaharaReporters reached out to the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media to the minister, Mr Lere Olayinka, for comment on the accusation, he requested for the documents and details of the allocation.
However, after the details and documents were sent to him via WhatsApp, he did not answer subsequent calls.