FCTA marks 500 structures for demolition, issues 24-hour quit notice to owners

The federal capital territory administration (FCTA) says it has marked over 500 illegal structures and shanties for demolition in the Karmo and Deidei areas of Abuja.

Garba Jibril, sector monitor and assistant director at the FCTA’s department of development control, spoke on Monday while leading the exercise.

Jibril added that a 24-hour demolition notice had been served to operators of illegal markets and shanties along the marked road.

He noted that owners of the affected structures had been served several notices, adding that Mukhtar Galadima, the director of the department of development control, had held a sensitisation meeting with stakeholders.

The deputy director said the marked structures and shanties constituted a nuisance on the road, heavy traffic, and environmental hazards.

Jibril said the FCT administration has awarded a contract for the construction of the Life Camp-Dei-Dei road.

He said the refusal of the traders to relocate to the assigned Karmo market has prevented the contractors from commencing work.

“We have had several meetings with the relevant stakeholders, including traditional leaders in the area, to get them to move, but they remained adamant,” he said.

“We equally held a meeting with the traders and the new market operators, who promised to give the traders some incentives to be able to accommodate them in both the informal and the main shops.

“We are hoping that after the demolition, there will be a successful relocation from the road corridor to the main market.

“This will not only maintain a serene environment but also ensure the free flow of traffic in the area.”

Jibril warned that those who flout the 24-hour notice will face the consequences.