Abuja: FCTA to flag-off beautification of Yar Adua Express Way

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), says it is ready for the flag-off ceremony of the landscaping and beautification of the Umar Musa Yar Adua Express Way through to Bill Clinton Drive scheduled to hold on the 22nd of March, 2022 at River Park Estate in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

The Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Council (AMMC), Umar Shuaibu disclosed this to Journalists on Wednesday, March 9, 2022.

According to him, the Council is embarking on an intensive clean up of the Abuja Airport Express Way.

“Therefore, all street hawkers, beggers, commercial sex workers, unapproved parks, gas sellers, kiosks, artisans, motor spare part dealers, car marts, Okada riders, and other related artisans are warned to stay off the Airport Express Way or risk being arrested and prosecuted under the relevant sections of the Laws of the Federation.”

For the success of the exercise, he said that the Senior Special Assistant on Enforcement to the Minister of FCT has been assigned to remove all the existing structures along the Airport Road starting from Wednesday, March 9.

“Furthermore, the Council in collaboration with the Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage DOAS have given the Stakeholders a go-ahead to place signage on their frontage after carrying out the exercise. This signage is to be placed in conformity with the set guidelines by DOAS.”

He warned that anyone caught selling unauthorised lands especially, green areas to unsuspecting Nigerians would be prosecuted.

Explaining further, the Coordinator said that areas reserved for future infrastructures such as future roads and transit ways should never be sold by unauthorised persons.

“Some people are giving allocation on a temporary basis because you know, there are some areas that are reserved for future infrastructure such as future road, transit and what have you. Some people see these areas as if they are vacant and we have forgotten about them. No, that’s not the case. We are reserving these areas because, in the future, we are going to have transitways, railway corridors, expressways and arterial roads in all these places. The plan of Abuja is not yet concluded. There are so many roads that are not yet on the ground.

 “So the reservations are there. What we do in order to engage people is that we give people on a temporary basis so that they can beautify these areas rather than allow them to become bushes but unfortunately, they are misusing this opportunity given to them. Some of them constitute some sort of cartel, sharing this land and selling it as if they own it. 

“We’re gathering evidence, and anybody that we catch must definitely be prosecuted on this matter, according to our external rules and regulations. They are illegal activities. You don’t have the right to sell this type of property. They are government properties and that is why park recreation is now the custodian of these parks. It’s not for any commercial activities, but for beautification.

“The Department of Parks and Recreation in the FCT has been mandated to take possession of, secure and ensure the development of the city’s Green Areas, open spaces and designated parks in a sustainable manner and with the active participation of private sector.“

The Abuja Metropolitan Council Coordinator also said that to ensure sustainable development, management and operation of all Parks, Green Area and Open space resources in the FCT, the Administration had agreed to partner with stakeholders to improve the aesthetics of the Abuja Airport expressway by landscaping and maintaining the frontage of their properties to complement the major gateway to the Federal Capital city.

PIAK