The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has said that it has concluded plans to demolish over 500 illegal structures at Dutsen-Garki in the Apo District of the FCT.
The Director of the Department of Development Control in FCTA, Mukhtar Galadima, who disclosed this after a dialogue meeting with Dutsen-Garki natives on Wednesday, said most individuals acquired lands from the natives without approval from the FCT Administration, which according to him, was an unacceptable practice.
Galadima, who spoke through the Deputy Director, Monitoring and Enforcement, Hassan Ogbole, said the Administration would not spare any land or structure without approval from the constituted authorities.
“The city is grappling with individuals acquiring lands from natives without FCT Administration approval. It is unacceptable to the government, and this must not continue.
“We have instances of recent removals that have been carried out in some areas which are still in progress, there are many other illegal settlements in Dutsen-Garki which we just held a meeting about. We have a pending removal there to carry out because people will come and buy from the natives and deny the original allottees from taking over possession.
“In line with the FCTA reform agenda, before we embark on any removal, we have to consult with the natives so that we don’t take them unawares,” he said.
Galadima said the officials of the department will use two weeks to mark the illegal structures before embarking on the full demolition exercise.
In his remarks, the Deputy Director, Monitoring and Enforcement at the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Kaka Bello, said the illegalities were affecting the environment and would not be allowed to remain.
“Apart from illegal expansion, people also build on waterways, and this is not good for the environment. The illegalities, if not tackled, will bring about flood and erosion,” he stated.
The Dutsen-Garki community representative at the meeting, Danjuma Fanus, appealed to the FCT Administration to give them more time to put things in better shape.
“We appeal to the FCT Administration to give us more time. We just lost our Chief. We will get back to the officials of the Administration before the expiration of the deadline,” Fanus stated.
