FCTA Demolishes 11,705 Shanty Colonies, Generates N2.5bn Revenue

The Department of Development Control, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has demolished 11,705 shanty colonies across the city, Abuja, from January to October, according to an official. The department also generated N2.5 billion and created 13,873 direct and indirect jobs within the period. Mr Mukhtar Galadima, Director, Development Control, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, FCTA, disclosed this during a media briefing on the activities of the department in Abuja on Sunday. Galadima explained that the shanties and illegal developments were demolished in conjunction with the Ministerial Enforcement Task Force Team. He identified the affected areas as Kabusa, Kasuwan dare, Galadimawa junction, Mabushi scavenger colony and Gudu District along Oladipo Diya way. He equally said that the department also removed obstructing structures on waterways at Lugbe, Jahi and Lokogoma. This, according to him, has curtailed the flooding being experienced within the city in recent years. He also said that the encroachment on rights of way and security black spots were equally dismantled in collaboration with security agencies in the FCT. The director also disclosed that a total of 1,764 building plan applications were received within the period, out of which 1,422 were granted approvals, including backlogs of previous years. On revenue generation, Galadima said that the N2.5 billion was generated from building plan approval and land use contraventions from January to October. He said that amount represents 68.5 per cent of the N3.7 billion target for the year, adding that of the N2.5 billion, N1.7 billion was generated from building plan approval alone. The director also explained that the 13,873 direct and indirect jobs were created at different stages of construction at various sites as approved by the department. Another achievement according to Galadima included the inauguration of One-Stop Vetting Team to treat backlog of files and fast -track of building plan approval for Plots within areas serviced with infrastructure. He added that the department also established Regional Offices to decentralise monitoring and enforcement activities in the Area Councils and Satellite Towns. “We equally inaugurated a Committee on the Prevention of Building Collapse in the FCT to proffer modalities and institutional framework to avert building collapse in the territory. “The department also inaugurated a Post-Development Audit which commenced at Dawaki as a pilot scheme. “The staff of the department equally carried out routine monitoring of physical development activities within the territory where contravening developments are served either with stop work, quit notice or demolition notice,” he said. On staff welfare, Galadima said that the department has institutionalised end of year activities where it appraises itself, enhances staff bonding as well as presents awards to deserving staff to boost morale. “There is also a monthly medical fitness check for all staff and monthly sporting activities to boost physical fitness of staff,” he added. He identified increasing cases of land grabbing and harassment of the department staff by security agencies as some of the challenges recorded within the period under review. “There is also the problem of non-resettlement of indigenous communities which created pockets of expanding slums throughout the city. “Another challenge is the inadequate and obsolete utility vehicles for monitoring and heavy-duty equipment for enforcement to cover the ever-growing territory. “Others are inadequate office accommodation, slow adoption information and communication technology, and non-0utilisation of land after removal of squatter settlements. “There is also the challenge of slow pace of infrastructural development especially in the satellite towns and abandoned buildings serving as criminal hideouts among others,” he said. 

FCTA demolishes illegal market used for criminal hideouts in Abuja

The officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Tuesday demolished an illegal market called “Kasuwan Dare”, a suspected hideout for hoodlums and drug dealers in Asokoro, Abuja. The market was located at Hassan Musa Katsina Street, near Kpaduma II in Asokoro Extension, Abuja. Speaking after the demolition, the Director, Department of Development Control, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, said that the illegal market was becoming a threat to the residents of the area and passerby. Galadima added that the area was turned into a haven for criminal activities despite relentless efforts by the FCT Administration to sanitise the area. He added that the miscreants operating in the area were affecting the aesthetic quality of the entire environment, adding that the Administration would allow it to continue. He said that area had to go because it constituted a security threat, adding that the area was also serving as a hideout for miscreants, drug dealers and men of the underworld. “The operation will help us get rid of the hoodlums and drug dealers that have taken over the place. “We had demolished the place about three times, but the nuisances rebuilt and continued their activities. “This time around, the demolished market will remain demolished. We need to sanitise the place and enhance the aesthetic quality of the environment. “It is also part of the current administration’s policy of sanitising the city, and this is one of the areas we are commencing the exercise,” he said. Also, the Secretary, FCTA Command and Control, Mr Peter Olumuji, said that efforts would be put in place to ensure the safety of residents in the area. The Village Head of Kpaduma, Mr Bitrus Yakubu, commended the FCT Administration for coming to their rescue and for ridding the area of hoodlums. “The place has been here for over twenty years but today it has gone down for our own good. “We are very happy as a community that the area is cleared for good,” Bitrus said.

Wike issues stern warning to property owners distorting Abuja masterplan

*Says, ‘Your houses must be demolished’ The new Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has issued a stern demolition ultimatum to property owners in Abuja who have contributed to the distortion of the city’s masterplan. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja shortly after his inauguration, Wike emphasized that structures erected in violation of the city’s planned layout would face demolition, regardless of the occupants’ stature. Wike, formerly the governor of Rivers State, left no room for ambiguity, asserting that anyone who has constructed buildings where such development was prohibited should anticipate the dismantling of their property. He made it clear that this directive applies universally, extending even to high-ranking officials like ministers and ambassadors. He stated, “Your house must go down.” The warning also extended to landholders who have encroached upon designated green spaces to erect structures. Wike firmly declared that these areas must be reclaimed, emphasizing the significance of preserving natural green spaces in the city’s landscape. He emphasized, “If you hate green, you must hate yourself,” indicating his uncompromising stance on preserving the city’s aesthetics. Wike’s unequivocal message highlights the urgency of adhering to the planned urban layout and the imperative of maintaining green spaces in Abuja. As the FCT Minister, Wike seems determined to enforce orderliness and curb unauthorized developments that mar the city’s architectural integrity and natural environment.

Alaba Market Demolition- Ohaneze bemoans plight of Igbo traders

The Ohaneze Ndigbo has expressed concern over the lingering problems in Lagos over the planned demolition of some property at the Alaba Market dominated by Igbo traders. The President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, said this in a statement issued by the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Alex Ogbonnia on Saturday in Enugu. Ohaneze said since the disturbing news broke out, they had made investigations in order to establish the true state of affairs. Iwuanyanwu said, “The attention of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has been drawn to several fake publications circulating on social media alleging a decision by the Lagos State Government to take actions to victimize the Igbo citizens domiciled in Lagos”. He said based on its investigation, one reliable source, Comrade Chinedu Ukatu, Member, Lagos State Market Advisory Council said, “the Lagos State Environment and Development Authority has been issuing warnings as regards the obstruction of some waterways”. Ukatu, who is also the President Ndigbo-Amaka Progressive Market Association, Lagos, added “all that happened at Alaba and the emergency visit by the state government officials were directly about those blocking the free flow of water through the provided water ways”. Ukatu explained that the directive as “not in any way related to plazas and shops on the markets or along the market road”. He enjoined all and sundry to “disregard the statements and video messages trending on the internet and admonished that such propaganda was not necessary for the Igbos at this time”. Another Alaba resident, Chief Ikechukwu Okolo told Ohaneze that, some structures were erected on waterways, thereby obstructing drainages and causing flooding, especially during the rainy seasons. Okolo stated that, “the owners of the affected structures have since been notified, for months, but as we can see, each time the execution order was to be effected, corrupt Government officials would get compromised, and the flooding challenge continues, until this time”. Chief Evaristus Ozonweke, an Ohaneze chieftain, resident in Lagos, has also validated the above position. Iwuanyanwu urged the Lagos State Environment and Development Authority (LASEDA) to exercise prudence and best considerations in discharging their duties as he asked the Igbo in Lagos to remain calm. He, therefore, indicated a pressing need to visit Lagos and the South West in the next few weeks as he was very optimistic that during the visit, all the challenges confronting the Igbo in Lagos would be addressed.