The Minister of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has ordered the Ministerial Task team on city sanitation in the FCT to commence an aggressive and massive sanitation around Utako, Jabi parks, Wuye District and its environs, to tackle enviromental degradation and other illegalities in the districts.
The sanitation that commenced on Thursday has resulted in the huge displacement of several illegal car marts, mechanic workshops, worship place, roadside traders and a notorious scavengers colony.
Speaking after the exercise, the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT minister on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, Ikharo Attah said the Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, who recently inspected activities around these districts, was saddened that the administration’s favourable disposition to the rule of law has been greatly abused by residents.
Attah noted with dismay, that the residents had taken for granted the administration’s decision to use stakeholders engagement and respect for human rights in dealing with developmental issues before any enforcement.
The Minister bemoaned the activities of some lawless persons that were gradually turning the Utako and Jabi parks areas to places that jeopardise both the health and security of the city.
Attah also lamented that scavengers that have taken nearby undeveloped plots around the districts, have added the growing of cannabis to their other illegal activities.
According to him, the sanitation would remain a priority of the administration until total sanity was restored and the environment reclaimed for better developmental projects.
Attah said, “What is going on here is a total clean up in Utako, Wuye and Tunde Idiagbon connecting point. The Minister gave us the order and we started the joint operations this morning”.
Sustaining the clean up exercise
Also speaking, an Assistant Director of Enforcement in Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) Kaka Bello, said the clean up had become necessary following reports of security breaches coming from the Scavengers colony.
Bello who admitted that the areas pose challenges, also explained that the administration’s resolve to sustain the clean up exercise was justifiable, as the areas had been severally sanitised, but the lawless occupants refused to give up.
He also explained that the administration had reached out to the owners of the empty plots with several notices, and may take action if such owners refuse to commence development after three months.
He noted that “this is a place with a lot of challenges. We came here yesterday to give them notice, beside the notices we have been giving them.
“The measures we have is to ensure continuous enforcement. Just as you clean your house every day, we will continue to enforce compliance.
“Beside that FCTA has directed that all plot owners should come and take ownership of their properties within three months. That is those that have building plan approval, and those who don’t have should also come forward, or appropriate actions will be taken”.
Emmanuel Ukoh
