*Slums safe haven for criminals
The failure of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to resettle natives of the Territory is said to be breeding slums and spiking insecurity in the councils, The Authority checks have revealed.
According to several residents of the Territory who spoke to The Authority, most criminals terrorizing the councils, after attacking their victims, often retreat to the growing number of slums for cover.
In August, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike approved the demolition of Garki, Jabi and other 28 slums earlier surveyed by the FCTA.
According to the FCTA, no fewer than 6,000 buildings have been marked for demolition in a bid to rid the Territory of shanties and illegal structures.
The FCTA said the demolition will affect 30 areas in the FCT.
Some officials in the FCTA told The Authority in confidence that most of the slums are found in areas inhabited by natives of Abuja, and that the failure of the administration to complete infrastructural works on areas mapped out to resettle them was constituting a challenge.
“There are several aboriginal villages, especially in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) that we earmarked for resettlement.
Some are Damankasa, Apo Primary, Chafiyu, Dutse, Waru. Some are expected to move to Wasa. Some are going to Mpape. But the challenge is that we have not provided access roads to the areas,” a FCTA officer offered, quizzing, “where do you expect them to go? “
He continued, “We have over the years paid lip service to resettling the original inhabitants of the FCT. The consequence is that we now have slums in the city centre from where criminals from other parts of the country launch attacks in the FCT.”
According to him, “the only way out is to prioritize the building of infrastructure in the areas designated to resettle FCT natives where it will be difficult for criminals to hide and attack innocent residents of the FCT. “
The Authority found out that the return to democratic rule in 1999 saw a steady increase in the population of the FCT. Recent political and religious conflicts in the Northeast and Northwest, as well as in Kaduna, Niger, Plateau and Kogi States, have seen a steep climb in the number of persons relocating to the FCT.
However, the pressure on social amenities and housing has seen those fleeing to the FCT settle for the slums.
The recent increase in the cost of transportation occasioned by the removal of subsidy on petrol, has also seen several persons who used to live in satellite towns move into nearby slums to save costs.
A senior police officer in charge of crime in the FCT, police command said.
On Tuesday, the FCT Police Command paraded forty-three persons suspected to be involved in culpable homicide, kidnapping, armed robbery, stealing, ‘one- chance,’ illegal possession of firearms, cultism and carjacking.
According to Haruna Garba, the FCT Commissioner of Police, a total of 30 rounds of ammunition, five firearms, and three stolen vehicles, were recovered by his men and officers.
