Officials from the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) dismantled unlawful constructions on property owned by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and designated for other infrastructure development in Abuja’s Lugbe neighbourhood on Monday.
Mr Mukhtar Galadima, the Director of the Department of Development Control, FCTA, indicated to reporters following the exercise that the location, locally known as Timber Shield Market, Lugbe, was not allowed for the building of the demolished structures.
Galadima went on to say that the location was unlawfully inhabited by lumber traders, scavengers, and other marketers of low-value things because it was positioned beneath a high-tension line.
He stated that TCN had already granted the contract for the power line’s energisation, and that the unlawful constructions must be dismantled prior to the start of the operation.
He went on to say that the region was a Ring Road III corridor that connected Gwarimpa and the Public Service Institute along Onex, as well as Siraji and the Apo Mechanic neighbourhood.
He said the operation is a continuous effort to clean up Abuja by eliminating any unlawful constructions, wherever they may be found.
He stated that multiple notifications were served on the unlawful occupiers prior to the destruction, followed by talks with the shopkeepers and certain other parties.
According to NAN, he said:
“Prior to the operation, we had invited all the traders and stakeholders for a meeting, and we briefed them of our intention. They were given enough time to relocate so that the work will commence about two months ago. We are going to sustain it; nobody will be allowed to return to the area.”
cc: Daily Post Ng
