The Nigerian Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has announced plans to demolish over five hundred illegal structures at Dutsen-Garki community in Apo District Area of the nation’s capital, Abuja.
The Director, Department of Development control of the FCTA, TPL Mukhtar Galadima disclosed this after a dialogue with Dutsen-Garki natives on Wednesday.
He said most individuals acquire lands from the natives without approval from the FCT Administration, which according to him, was an unacceptable practice.
Galadima, who spoke through the Deputy Director, Monitoring and Enforcement, Hassan Ogbole, said the administration would not spare any land or structure without approval from the constituted authorities.
“The city is grappling with individuals acquiring lands from natives without FCT Administration approval, it is unacceptable to the government, this must not continue.
“We have instances of recent removals that have been carried out in some areas which is still in progress, there are many other illegal settlements in line, IEA in Dutsen-Garki which we just held a meeting about. We have a pending removal there to carry out because people will come and buy from the natives, and deny the original allottees from taking over possession.
“In line with the FCTA reform agenda, before we embark on any removal, we have to consult with the natives, so that we don’t take them unaware.”
Galadima said the officials of the department will use two weeks to mark the illegal structures before embarking on the full demolition exercise.
In his remarks, the Deputy Director, Monitoring and Enforcement, Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Kaka Bello said the illegalities were affecting the environment and would not be allowed to remain.
“Apart from illegal expansion, people also build on water ways and is not good for the environment. The illegalities if not tackled will bring about flood and erosion.”
The Dutsen-Garki Community representative at the meeting, Mr Danjuma Fanus, appealed to the FCT Administration to give them more time to put things in a better shape.
“We appeal to the FCT Administration to give us more time, we just lost our chief. We will get back to the officials of the administration before the expiration of the deadline,” Fanus said.
