By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Federal Capital Territory Administration has announced that over 500 illegal structures in Dutsen-Garki in Apo District would soon be demolished.
Director department of development control FCTA, Mukhtar Galadima disclosed this after a dialogue meeting with Dutsen-Garki natives on Wednesday.
He said that the majority of people acquire lands from the natives without approval from the FCT Administration, a practice that is unacceptable in Abuja.
Galadima, who was represented by 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 of their land”
“In line with the FCTA reform agenda, before we embark on any removal we have to consult the natives so that we don’t take them unaware.”
Galadima disclosed that the officials of the department will use two weeks to mark the illegal structures before embarking on the full demolition exercise.
Deputy director of monitoring and enforcement Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Kaka Bello said the illegal structures were affecting the environment and would not be allowed to remain.
“A part from illegal expansion, people also build on waterways and is not good for the environment. The illegalities if not tackled will bring about floods and erosion.”
The Dutsen-Garki community representative at the meeting, Danjuma Fanus appealed to the FCT Administration to allow them more time to put things in an order.
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.
