The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate clearance of invaders of the proposed transitway corridor along Mabushi and Katampe Districts of the FCT.
Wike who gave the order during a visit to the area. He described the place as an eyesore, adding that the area seemed like the kind of place where people commit crimes and run into to take refuge.
The minister also promised that his administration will do anything possible to reduce the level of crime in the territory.
“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,” he said.
Also, the coordinator of the 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 tram line, transversing the city across almost all the districts.
He decried that a large portion of the road network stretch became a scavengers’ colony between the Mabushi and Katampe districts of the territory.
“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 tram 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,” he said.
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 us 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 the mother of all exercises as it involves demolition, clearance, and evacuation,” he said.
