By David Obio
The Department of Development Control, FCT Administration (FCTA) under the leadership of Nyesom Wike has served 24-hour demolition notices to operators of illegal markets and shanties along the Karmo Dei-Dei Road corridor.
In the planned exercise, the FCTA revealed that over 500 illegal structures and shanties, sitting on the road corridor has been marked for demolition.
Mr Garba Jibril, The Sector Monitor and Assistant Director in the department, Mr. Garba Jibril, who led the exercise in Abuja on Monday, explained that the affected owners had been served with issued notices. He said that, in addition , the Director of Development Control, Mr. Mukhtar Galadima, had held a sensitisation meeting with relevant stakeholders.
Jibril emphasized that demolishing the illegal structures was necessary because they constituted a nuisance on the road in addition to heavy traffic witnessed on market days.
He lamented that the traders activities often led to emission of environmental hazards, which is not acceptable to the FCT Administration.
He disclosed that the FCTA had awarded a contract for the construction of Life Camp – Dei-Dei Road, but expressed worry that the traders’ continuous stay on the road corridor prevented contractors from moving to the site.
He warned that no one should joke with the 24-hour notice given for them to vacate the environment as those who refused to comply will have themselves to blame at the end of the day.
He said that already the traders involved had been asked to move to the designated market called Karmo Market, adding that the market was fully developed and equipped with necessary facilities.
Jibril said: “But the traders have been reluctant to move.
“We have had several meetings with the relevant stakeholders including traditional leaders in the area to get them to move but they remained adamant.
“We equally held a meeting with the traders and the new market operators, who promised to give the traders some incentives to be able to accommodate them in both the informal and the main shops.
“We are hoping that after the demolition, there will be a successful relocation from the road corridor to the main market.
“This will not only maintain a serene environment, but also ensure free flow of traffic in the area.”
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