Abuja, The National Mosque in Abuja was ordered to be partially demolished, according to false media claims, which were refuted on Thursday by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
This was said in a statement released on Thursday in Abuja by Mr. Richard Nduul, Head of Public Relations and Information at FCDA.
The Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Shehu Ahmad, has been given 24 hours to explain the government’s position over the partial demolition of the National Mosque, according to an online news report that caught the notice of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
The FCDA wants to make it clear that, in its opinion, the news is bogus or, at most, that the reporter jumbled up the stories.
“The Honourable Minister of the FCT never at any time directed for the demolition of the National Mosque, nor did the Executive Secretary receive any directive with regard to the demolition of the National Mosque,” the statement read.
According to the statement, the minister was visited on Wednesday by members of the Abuja Mosque Management Committee, led by Etsu Nupe Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar.
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It said that during the visit, the chairman pleaded for more time to develop the two parcels of land that the FCT Administration had given to the National Mosque.
One of which, Plot 63, will be significantly impacted by the Inner Northern Motorway (INEX), for which a successor or alternative is being sought.
This is in light of the recent cancellation of land title allocations that were abandoned for an extended period of time.
“In view of the foregoing, Wike, who at the time had not yet been informed of the development, instructed Ahmad to promptly inform him within 24 hours regarding the National Mosque Lands issue.
“It is pertinent to state that the minister’s directive on the status of the lands allocated to the National Mosque, was contrary to what the reporter portrays as the demolition of the National Mosque,” the statement read.
According to the statement, the Minister informed the group that the FCT Administration would fund the upkeep of the National Mosque as another sign of good faith.
The National Christian Centre was mentioned as well as other National Monuments.
“The National Mosque Management Board could further affirm that the aforementioned explanation is the factual and accurate portrayal of what actually happened.
Accordingly, it is hoped that this justification will put an end to the “so-called National Mosque demolition fallacy,” according to the statement. (NAN)
