A group of indigenous people of Abuja from Kubwa, Bwari Area Council of the nation’s capital have appealed to the Ministerial task team on the City Sanitation to halt its demolition exercise in the area.
The Bwari Area Council Secretary, Mr. Ella Kadanya made the appeal when he led strategic members of Kubwa village to Chairman of the Task Team, Mr. Ikharo Attah in Abuja Nigeria’s capital.
Mr. Kadanya begged that, the Chairman should reach out to the minister on their behalf and give them more time to identify and correct the grey areas that are not in line with the government template.
Recall that in the wake of a Kerosene tanker explosion that claimed many lives at Kubwa village recently, the task team had about three days ago stormed the place and pulled down structures that were built against the approved plan, to pave way for free flow of traffic and sanity.
Kadanya, who represented the Chairman of Bwari Area Council, Mr. John Gabaya, said the situation was occasioned by expansion of the area due to the increase in population.
“The increase in population and struggle for expansion by the people is what is causing most of the challenges. But I am assuring the Task Team that we will not disappoint them, they should give us time to meet with our people and correct the errors.
“We are not against sanity, but the FCT Administration through the Task Force Team on City Sanitation should allow us to do more engagement and sensitization, we would not fail in playing our part. We are begging the minister to stop the issue of demolition for now” he said.
One of the stakeholders and Former Chairman of Bwari Area Council, Musa Dikko, explained that the natives should be properly carried along during demolition exercise.
He disclosed that, the indigenous people presently in Kukwaba, Jaji and Kubwa were relocated to the area in 1990, when there was no population explosion but the increase in population call for additional plans for expansion.
Responding, Chairman of the Task Team, Ikharo Attah told the natives that clearing the area of illegal structures was not meant to hurt the residents but to bring about sanity that will help in averting disaster.
He assured them that their request will be tabled before the FCT minister, Malam Muhammad Bello for further directives.
“I am working under the directives of the minister of FCT, Malam Muhammad Bello who is concerned about making Abuja a great city that the residents and visitors will be proud of, I will present your prayers to the minister who’s decision is supreme,” he said.
