The Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN) has cautioned banks, mortgage institutions, private equity investors, and other financial institutions against financing any major development project around Jabi Lake until all issues relating to public interest, environmental sustainability, transparency, and urban planning are properly addressed.
HDAN stated that while it supports genuine urban renewal and responsible investment in Abuja, any attempt to commercialise or alter one of the capital city’s most strategic public assets without broad stakeholder consultation could create long-term environmental, legal, and social challenges.
According to the advocacy group, Jabi Lake remains a major environmental asset, public recreational centre, and tourist attraction. It is also part of the Federal Capital Territory’s urban identity and a critical green and waterfront zone within the Abuja Master Plan.
HDAN urged financial institutions to exercise caution before committing funds to projects that may later become subjects of public resistance, litigation, environmental disputes, or policy reversals.
The group noted that global best practices in urban development require environmental impact assessments, public consultations, transparent concession agreements, protection of public access to waterfronts, and adherence to sustainable urban planning principles.
HDAN further advised banks and investors not to expose depositors’ funds to avoidable risks arising from unresolved public-interest concerns.
The organisation maintained that development around Jabi Lake should instead focus on environmental preservation, controlled tourism development, beautification, recreation, and sustainable investment, rather than excessive privatisation or the exclusion of the public.
It also called on the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to make all agreements relating to the lake publicly available in the interest of transparency and accountability.
HDAN stressed that Abuja needs more protected public spaces and environmental assets as the city continues to expand rapidly, warning that short-term commercial interests should not override long-term urban sustainability.
The advocacy network urged civil society organisations, urban planners, environmental experts, residents, and lawmakers to engage constructively on the future of Jabi Lake to ensure that any redevelopment aligns with the broader public good and the original vision of Abuja as a modern and livable city.
