Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, personally led security operatives and relevant FCT city managers to commence massive clearance exercise in Abuja.
Wike, who inspected the proposed Mabushi-Katampe road corridor that is taken over by scavengers, said all areas suspected to be safe haven for criminals in the territory must be demolished.
The Minister thereafter ordered security operatives and relevant FCT city managers to clear the place without delay.
Scavengers, popularly known as ‘Baban Bolas’ in common parlance were the ones chiefly affected, alongside mechanics and furniture makers in the mother of all enforcement exercises, which also involved evacuation of large cashew plantations and shanties.
He said: “We will do anything possible we can to see we reduce the level of crime, and we will not allow these people to continue, because this is an eyesore, so make sure you clear this immediately.
“It is most unfortunate what we are seeing, so there is no notice as you must chase them out now, and clear the entire place.”
Fielding questions from newsmen, Coordinator of FCT city management joint task team, TPL Mukhtar Galadima, said the hitherto encroached area, consists of a proposed dual mode of transportation- the bus and train line, transversing the city across almost all the districts.
Galadima decried that a large portion of the road network stretch became scavengers’ colony between Mabushi and Katampe Districts of the Territory.
He said: “Looking at the situation now, due to the security challenges all over the country, this present use of the area is not conducive.
“In the masterplan of Abuja there is provision of different hierarchy of road networks, and this part area, consists of a proposed dual mode of transportation- the bus and tramo line, which transverses the city across almost all the Districts. It transverses from the entire city- starting from Area 1 through Garki Hospital, Social Development Secretariat, behind Ministry of Defense down to Durumi.”
On whether there would be compensation for economic trees, Galadima said “This is a national issue of importance, which has to do with security, which is everybody’s business, that is why we are not considering the issue of compensation. And first and foremost let’s secure the land and the people. This is why we are moving in at the right time.
“The Hon. Minister of FCT said immediately after our clearance, the FCDA should come in and ensure that the road corridor is kept cleared to become a temporary access road so that nobody will come and settle here again.
“So, this is mother of all exercises as it involves demolition, clearance and evacuation.”
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