FCTA demolishes ‘illegal oil refining warehouse’ in Abuja

The officials of the federal capital territory administration (FCTA) has uncovered a suspected illegal oil refining warehouse in Abuja.

During a city clearance operation on Thursday, the warehouse, located opposite Mobile Filling Station along Ahmadu Bello Way, Mabushi, was demolished by officials of the FCTA’s department of development control.

Speaking with the press after the exercise, Mukhtar Galadima, the director of department of development control, said the warehouse was cited on four plots of land designed for commercial purposes. 

Galadima said the team found out that the warehouse was being used for packaging of adulterated petroleum products.

He said the city sanitation task force would look into the provision of the law and make necessary recommendations to the FCTA for further actions on the plots used for illegal activities.

Galadima said no arrest was made but some of the items being used in carrying out the illegal activities have been impounded and moved to the custody of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

“From what we have seen so far, about three or four plots of lands designated for commercial purposes have been converted to unapproved activities,” NAN quoted Galadima as saying. 

“We believe that the owners are fully aware, and as such, there will be consequences.

“We are going to look at the provision of the law and make necessary recommendations to the FCT Administration.”

He said the FCTA would be tough on any contravention of land use without approval.