Officials from the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have taken action to evict unauthorized occupants from land owned by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and have subsequently demolished numerous unapproved structures in the Lugbe community of Abuja.
The FCTA representatives carried out an operation to clear and dismantle a well-known locality called Timber Shield Market in Lugbe. This market area had been unlawfully taken over by timber merchants, scavengers, and vendors selling items of minimal value.
Following the operation, Mukhtar Galadima, the Director of the Department of Development Control at FCTA, clarified that the endeavor was part of an ongoing initiative aimed at tidying the city and eradicating illegal constructions.
He elucidated that the particular area falls along the route of Ring Road 3, serving as a link between Gwarimpa and the Public Service Institute, while also connecting Siraji to the Apo Mechanics Area.
Galadima mentioned that prior to the demolition process, multiple notices had been issued to those occupying the land, accompanied by meetings involving the traders and other significant stakeholders.
“The area is behind high tension line, TCN had awarded a contract for the energization of the power line, and the illegal structures must be removed before the commencement of the work
“Before the operation, we had invited all the traders and stakeholders for a meeting, and we briefed them on 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,” he said.
Also, the secretary of the Command and Control Centre, FCTA, Peter Olumuji said the clean-up will help in securing lives and property in Lugbe and environs and that the administration is committed to fighting activities that will pave the way for crime and would not allow the unapproved area to exist.
“The clean-up exercise will help in securing lives and property in Lugbe and its environs. Aside from what the Transmission Company of Nigeria is going to do, it will also help to reduce the crime rate within the axis, because the place harbours a lot of criminal-minded individuals,” he said.
He said the exercise was a renewal of the FCT administration’s war against drug dealers and other illegal activities gaining ground in the area.
