The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Ministerial Task Force on City Sanitation has cleared over 1,000 makeshift structures on the Karasana-Bunkoro Road corridor in Gwarinpa axis of the nation’s capital.
The exercise is part of the ongoing citywide effort to demolish shanties that have become notorious for harbouring criminals and illegal squatters.
The director of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, who led the operation yesterday, said it focused on the proposed Ring Road 3 corridor at the N16 intersection, adjacent to MAP Global Estate.
“As you can see, this area has been riddled with shanties and individuals of questionable character. Our goal is to enhance security as part of a broader city sanitation exercise,” he said.
Galadima said; “We have effectively removed over 1,000 shanties thus far, and the work is far from being over, with many more to address along the 2-kilometre stretch filled with illegal structures.
“While the Ring Road 3 project has yet to be awarded, we are already pushing forward with developments on the N16. It’s crucial for us to devise a strategy that prevents the re-emergence of these structures,” he said.
On the indigenous communities within the corridor, Galadima said they have been informed by the Department of Resettlement and Compensation about some existing communities in the area.
“We are committed to ensuring that our actions do not disrupt their way of life. For tomorrow’s session, we will involve representatives from the Resettlement and Compensation Team to help us differentiate between indigenous and non-indigenous populations,” he said.
Also, the FCT director of Security, Adamu Gwary, represented by the secretary of the FCT Command and Control Centre, Dr Peter Olumuji, echoed the operation’s importance for security.
“This area has raised concerns among the residents, particularly due to its history of criminal activities. There is a strong connection between development control and the safety of life and property.
“We observed that criminals often set up shanties near indigenous communities, using them as a shield for their operations.
“The residents have expressed their appreciation for the FCT administration’s efforts. This clearance is a crucial step, and we commit to ensuring that this area remains monitored and secured,” he said.
