No fewer than fifty-four makeshift structures were removed for allegedly violating the land use act and established COVID-19 protocols within Karu Site and Jikwoyi phase 1 satellite towns of Abuja, the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Also touched were the perimeter fence and adjoining structures of relaxation facilities; a drinking parlour and Parish Lounge and nightclub, sealed off recently, with a warning to the developers to revert to the original approved landuse.
Collaboration with other relevant agencies
Officials of the Development Control Department and Covid-19 Enforcement team in collaboration with other relevant agencies under the FCTA, stormed the area with bulldozer and carried out the exercise in the morning.
Most of the structures affected were located along road corridors of Agric quarters and under power high-tension line in site and St. Simon’s Church, Jikwoyi phase 1 Extension off Sada Cruz.
Speaking after the exercise, Acting Director, Development Control, Garba Kwamkur said they got a marching order from the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello to get the city rid of miscreants, unapproved developments and make the city habitable for all well meaning citizens.
Garba said: “We are removing all infractions and unapproved developments within the city road corridors.
“Right now we are going around satellite towns, and we are starting with Karu Site and Jikwoyi.
“It is a continuous exercise, we are going even up to Abaji that we have not being going there for sometime. We are ready for all the satellite towns within the city.”
The Head, Media and Enlightenment, of the COVID-19 Taskforce, Comrade Ikahro Attah, expressed optimism that the removal exercise would deter those who may want to violate the protocols and abuse the landuse.
“What we did in Karu was joint effort with the Covid-19 Enforcement team. We saw several violations of the protocols, which we reported to the development control, and officials moved in with their bulldozer and removed contravening structures in the area.
“Not less than 54 shanties were removed in Karu Site alone that tells you how bad it is here.”
He said the development would deter others from doing so.
Lateefah Ibrahim
