S4C demands transparency over Jabi Lake redevelopment plan

Stanley Ihedigbo

Spaces for Change (S4C) has raised serious concerns over plans by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to grant development rights at Jabi Lake, warning that the project poses significant risks to the environment and public interest.

In a statement signed by the S4C’s Executive Director, Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, the civic group criticised the allocation of portions of the lakefront to private firms, Suburban Broadband Limited and Akida Hills Limited, which have reportedly received Certificates of Occupancy to transform the area into a large-scale mixed-use development.

According to S4C, the proposed project, envisioned to include residential, commercial, and recreational facilities, threatens the future of one of Abuja’s few remaining public green spaces.

The organisation stressed that the issue goes beyond infrastructure development, touching on environmental sustainability, public access, and the broader direction of urban planning in the Federal Capital Territory.

The group warned that extensive construction activities around a natural water body like Jabi Lake could disrupt its fragile ecosystem, degrade water quality, and accelerate the loss of vegetation and open green areas.

It noted that in a rapidly urbanising city already grappling with rising temperatures, preserving such natural assets is crucial for climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable living.

S4C also pointed to growing public concern and emerging protests over the project, describing them as a reflection of widespread unease about transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in urban governance decisions.

The organisation called on the FCTA to provide full disclosure on the terms of the land allocations, the status of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), and the extent of public consultations conducted before approvals were granted.

It emphasised that decisions involving shared public resources must adhere to principles of openness, environmental protection, and democratic accountability.

Reaffirming its commitment to environmental justice and responsible urban governance, S4C said it would continue to monitor developments around Jabi Lake, engage stakeholders, and advocate for reforms that prioritise public welfare and ecological balance over private commercial interests.