No going back on demolition of illegal structures, criminal hideouts, FCTA insists

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Monday reiterated the commitment of the administration to sustaining the ongoing demolition exercise in the nation’s capital.

This, according to the administration, is to preserve the Abuja Master Plan and keep the fastest growing city out of insecurity and criminalities.

Speaking on behalf of the administration, the Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection, and Enforcement to the Minister of FCT, Comrade Ikharo Attah hinted that it is out of place for Amnesty International to ask FCTA to stop further demolition of illegal structures, shanties, batchers and criminal hideouts in the territory.

Attah, while briefing newsmen on the latest development, he said: “For what I know, I think, Amnesty International is addressing a particular case that involves the removal of illegal structures at Gaduwa village in the FCT and not the entire territory like the report suggested.

“Amnesty International has not asked that we should stop demolition but be a little careful. FCTA and Amnesty International knows that the removal of the illegal structures, clearing of criminal dens and areas that have become a security threat to the city is for the good of everybody and the defence of human rights which Amnesty International represents very strongly.

“If we must work going forward, I don’t think FCTA will stop the removal of illegal structures. Those who build them understand clearly that they are illegal, contravene the master plan and understand the consequences of what they have done. FCTA will sustain the removal of all illegal structures before this administration, during this administration and after this administration. The moment you stop the removal, you have grounded the city and the city will become ungovernable.

“Look at what happened in Kubwa, the building collapsed, which was said to have been caused by alterations of the building plan caused the death of two and left several injured. These are the things we want to avoid, when Illegalities persist and you don’t tackle it, there will be a problem. So, no going back on demolition of illegal structures and shanties in the nation’s capital.”