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Tag: Mukhtar Galadima

  • FCTA demolishes unauthorised parks in Abuja

    FCTA demolishes unauthorised parks in Abuja

    The Department of Development Control, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has demolished unauthorised parks at Apo Zone E, Gudu District, Abuja.

    The department also demolished an illegal development on a green area in the district.

    The Director of the department, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, said during the exercise in Abuja on Tuesday, that the structure was built without government’s approval.

    Galadima, who was at the scene along with the officials of the Department of Parks and Recreation, said that the action of the developer was a gross violation of the Abuja Master Plan.

    He explained that the parks were demolished for extending their structures into a road corridor without authorisation.

    He added that the illegal structure built on a green area also obstructed waterways, which if allowed, could lead to erosion and flooding.

    He explained that the illegal structures were discovered during the department’s weekly inspection of ongoing developments in the Federal Capital City.

    “During our normal weekly inspection today at Apo Zone E, Gudu District, we discovered strange developments in the area.

    “The structures were built on green areas and water channels and so we have to stop the work.

    “We will continue to monitor developments, and any illegal developer that refuses to stop unauthorised development will be arrested.

    “Other structures that have been completed will also be pulled down,” the director said.

    On his part, Mr Chinemelu Echee, Director, Parks and Recreation, said that the administration would reclaim all green areas converted to other use.

    Echee decried indiscriminate cutting of trees by those carrying out illegal development, saying,  “such acts must be stopped.

    “All parks discovered to be operating without genuine approval will not be allowed to stand.”

  • Again, FCTA carries out demolition in Abuja, smokes out criminals

    Again, FCTA carries out demolition in Abuja, smokes out criminals

    The officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Tuesday demolished an illegal market called “Kasuwan Dare”, a suspected hideout for hoodlums and drug dealers in Asokoro, Abuja.

    The market was located at Hassan Musa Katsina Street, near Kpaduma II in Asokoro Extension, Abuja.

    Speaking after the demolition, the Director, Department of Development Control, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, said that the illegal market was becoming a threat to the residents of the area and passerby.

    Galadima added that the area was turned into a haven for criminal activities despite relentless efforts by the FCT Administration to sanitise the area.

    He added that the miscreants operating in the area were affecting the aesthetic quality of the entire environment, adding that the Administration would allow it to continue.

    He said that area had to go because it constituted a security threat, adding that the area was also serving as a hideout for miscreants, drug dealers and men of the underworld.

    “The operation will help us get rid of the hoodlums and drug dealers that have taken over the place.

    “We had demolished the place about three times, but the nuisances rebuilt and continued their activities.

    “This time around, the demolished market will remain demolished. We need to sanitise the place and enhance the aesthetic quality of the environment.

    “It is also part of the current administration’s policy of sanitising the city, and this is one of the areas we are commencing the exercise,” he said.

    Also, the Secretary, FCTA Command and Control, Mr Peter Olumuji, said that efforts would be put in place to ensure the safety of residents in the area.

    The Village Head of Kpaduma, Mr Bitrus Yakubu, commended the FCT Administration for coming to their rescue and for ridding the area of hoodlums.

    “The place has been here for over twenty years but today it has gone down for our own good. We are very happy as a community that the area is cleared for good,” Bitrus said.

  • FCTA set to demolish over 500 unapproved buildings in Abuja

    FCTA set to demolish over 500 unapproved buildings in Abuja

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Wednesday, announced plans to demolish about 500 illegal houses and structures in Dutsen-Garki, Apo District, Abuja.

    Mr Mukhtar Galadima, Director, Department of Development Control, FCTA, disclosed this after a meeting with the leaders of the community in Abuja.

    Galadima, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Monitoring and Enforcement, Mr Hassan Ogbole, explained that all houses and structures that were illegally acquired or built would be demolished.

    He lamented that individuals acquire properties and lands from the natives and develop the lands without approval from the FCTA.

    “This is unacceptable to the FCT Administration,” he said.

    He explained that the meeting with the locals was in line with the reform agenda of the FCTA to consult the natives before any demolition exercise so as not to take the people by surprise.

    He added that the meeting was to also intimate the leaders of the affected community and the public on the intended demolition exercise.

    Galadima said that they have agreed with the community leaders to embark on marking of houses and structures, illegally built by non-indigenes in two weeks time.

    This, he said, would be followed by the demolition exercise.

    The director advised residents against contacting locals for land acquisition and urged anyone interested to acquire land to go to the constituted authority to avoid loss of properties.

    He also advised the locals against selling off lands and properties to non-indigenes or expanding without approval from FCTA.

    In his remarks, Mr Kak Bello, Deputy Director, Monitoring and Enforcement, Abuja Environmental Protection Board, pointed out that besides erecting illegal structures, people also build on water ways.

    “This is not good for the environment. Building on flood plains and dumping of refuse on water ways contribute to the environmental problems being experienced in some parts of FCT.

    “I urged people to be law-abiding and desist from building illegally and on flood plains,” he said.

    On his part, one of the representatives of the community, Mr Danjuma Fanus, pledged the full cooperation of the community leaders for the success of the exercise.

    Fanus, nonetheless, appealed to the FCTA to be considerate while carrying out the exercise so as not to make any of the natives a victim.

    “We will cooperate with the authorities, but we also need your cooperation,” he said.