Worship centres, shops affected as FCTA demolishes illegal structures in Mpape

The federal capital territory administration (FCTA) has begun the demolition of illegal structures in Mpape community in Abuja.

The FCTA had said it issued notices to residents prior to the commencement of the demolition exercise.

The demolition exercise entered the second day on Thursday, and is scheduled to last for three weeks, according to Ikharo Attah, chairman of the FCTA ministerial task force.

Speaking on the development, Attah said worship centres affected extended their structures into the road.

“The major illegalities identified here are worship centres, business shops, shanties, and other illegal structures built on road corridors which make Mpape community look very offensive,” NAN quoted him as saying.

“The demolition of such environmental nuisance started on Wednesday, during which we are able to clear a number of shanties and containers on the roadside and across and deep inside the Mpape market.

“Similarly, today we carried out major operation and cleared illegal structures and others that were extended to the road shoulders and we shifted them back.

“We also shifted part of the market, and we are able to do what we did here today, knowing that the exercise will last for three weeks.”

According to the Attah, all recovered areas would be handled by relevant departments in the administration at the end of the exercise.

“Ours as enforcement officers is to clear the road, remove all the incumbrances, illegalities and once our job is done, we are satisfied that we have done our part,” he added.