By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, and with operatives of security personnel have discovered an illegal oil refining hideout in Mabushi, opposite Mobile filling station on Ahmmadu Bello way in Abuja.
The Director, Department of Development Control, FCTA, Mukhtar Galadima on Thursday after the operation told journalists that the illegal refining site was discovered during the continuation of the city cleaning exercise.
Galadima said that, about three to four plots of land designated for commercial purposes have been converted to an area where oil and diesel are being adulterated and circulated to other parts of the city.
He also explained that the city sanitation task force will look into the provision of the law and make necessary recommendations to the FCT Administration for further actions on the plots used for the activity.
He said there was no arrest, but items used in carrying out the illegal refining have been impounded.
Galadima said, “During the continuation of our city sanitation exercise in Mabushi opposite Mobile filling station on Ahmmadu way, we discovered an illegal refining site where oil and diesel are being adulterated, we have done what is necessary by moving the items to Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps.”
“From what we have seen so far, about three or four pilot of lands designated for commercial purposes have been converted for unapproved activities, which we believe the owners are fully aware of the consequences.
“We are going to look at the provision of the law and make necessary recommendations to the FCT Administration.”
He said the administration will continue to go tough on activities being carried out without government approval, especially revocation of the titles.
Collaborating, Head, operations FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Service (DRTS), Deborah Osho said the city management team during the exercise also discovered that most of the areas in the Nation’s capital have been converted to illegal car mart and motor parks.
