FCTA Demolishes Shops On Road, Power Lines

In continuation with the clean-up exercise, a combined team of Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), city management officials on Monday stormed and cleared structures mainly makeshift shops that allegedly encroached on road corridors and power installations within Kubwa and Deidei, in the Bwari area council.

It was observed during the demolition, that most of the affected structures like kiosks’ extensions attached to the perimeter fence of Deidei livestock, tables and chairs used for various trading activities were constituting environmental and security challenges in the area.

However, as the team accompanied by a joint team of security personnel went deep into the clean-up exercise, some persons attempted to carry out a mop action, by hurling stones at the officials, who managed to disperse them, and continued their work.

The senior special assistant to the FCT minister, Comrade Ikharo Attah, explained that due to the volatile nature of the area, a strong combined team was mobilised to free the traffic congestion by getting rid of shanties along the major road corridors, which also constitutes a security threat to road users and other residents.

According to Attah, the FCTA will remove all illegalities around the Deidei road axis, particularly the service lane of the Zuba-Kubwa expressway which is fully covered by illegalities, and the main lane which is also completely blocked.

“We came out for a general clean up in Kubwa, Deidei, and Zuba axis and during the exercise in Deidei, the team came under attack, because Deidei has been known to be volatile with so much criminalities and illegalities in the place.

“So, we are removing illegalities, to free Deidei from traffic congestion and security threats. We have been able to do very sufficient work in Deidei and Kubwa. We know for sure that some of the criminal elements will want to resist that, but as a government, we pushed them back, minor injuries were sustained and we are good to go.

“One or two persons were injured but largely, the area is calm now, and those who are criminal elements, who tried to stop the enforcement were dispersed, and work continued,” he said it.

One of the livestock dealers at Deidei, Murtala Idris while reacting to the development,  expressed sadness over the exercise, which he said was carried out without due notice.