By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The FCT Ministerial taskforce on Sanitation today destroyed “scavenger’s camp commonly known as babanbola and illegal illegal markets in Lugbe along International Airport Road in the city center.
Leader of the Taskforce team, Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to the minister of FCT, Ikharo Attah said that the babanbola activities the illegal markets were constituting nuisances.
According to Attah noted that areas like Lugbe Federal Housing Authority Estate junction phase 1&2, Lugbe by Berger yard are very sensitive areas that need to meet up with the best standards, adding that such illegal acts would not be tolerated in such areas.
He disclosed that the minister of FCT Malam Muhammad Bello had inspected the area with the Taskforce team at the weekend, and reminded the team on the need to insist on maintaining sanity on the Airport.
“We cleared shanties and scavengers on the Airport road some times ago but suddenly the illegal activities are gradually returning. The minister of FCT visited Lugbe area at the weekend, and directed that serious action must be taken.”
The FCT commissioner of police Sunday Babaji also pointed out the need to clear all illegal activities that pave way for criminal acts on the road.
Attah noted that many of the demolished illegal shanties were suspected criminal hideouts, where hoodlums smoke marijuana and other illicit drugs freely.
He said,“Innocent members of the public, who have been complaining bitterly about activities of these unbecoming activities around Lugbe on the Airport Road, can now sleep with their two eyes closed.”
A trader, whose illegal structure was affected by the demolition, Mrs. Rukiyat Abiodun decried the frequent dislodging of their shops by the FCT officials, saying the government should consider the traders plight.
“Demolishing of our shops is not good, there should be a way of checking activities of the babanbola.”
Another resident, Emmanuel Aigbokhai was happy that the exercise will stop criminal activities caused by the scavengers and illegal markets around the area.
