In swift response to the recent riot act read by the FCT Minister, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, the FCT Administration has so far removed over 2,000 shanties and illegal structures across the 250 square kilometers of the Federal Capital City, Abuja within two weeks.
The FCT Secretariats, Departments and Agencies (SDA’s) affected by the riot act have formed a Joint Clean Up Exercise which dislodged all illegal mechanic colonies from Murtala Muhammed Expressway (Dantata & Sawoe Junction) down to Gudu District (Apo), also removed entire road verges and undesirable trees within that axis.
The FCT Permanent Secretary, John O. Chukwu (fnse) who heads the Joint Clean Up Exercise said that the affected SDA’s include the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC); Social Development Secretariat and the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Security Services and Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
According to him, the joint exercise, which is total, likewise removed several broken down vehicles along the roads and crannies of the Abuja metropolis as well as illegal Block Moulding Industries scattered within the city.
Chukwu revealed that several Artisans operating in undesignated areas have also been dislodged in addition; several illegal Ice Block Frozen Industries were affected in the operation of the joint exercise.
The Permanent Secretary disclosed that as a pre-emptive measure, the joint exercise has embarked on litter control in that axis measuring approximately 11 kilometers.
Chukwu reiterated that the clean up though statutory for the FCT Administration, these SDA’s would continue with this joint exercise until the Federal Capital City is rid of all illegal structures and activities.
He warned that the Abuja Master Plan must be religiously adhered to in consonance with the dreams of the founding fathers of the Federal Capital Territory; stressing that “Parks must be used for what they were designated for as well as all other areas”.
The Permanent Secretary appealed for understanding and cooperation of all stakeholders in order to ensure the health, safety and environmental well being of the residents of the Federal capital Territory.
Furthermore, he advised residents to avoid patronizing street traders, commercial sex workers, giving alms to beggars, destitute who are being brought into Abuja and exploited by some selfish and unscrupulous elements.
The Permanent Secretary threatened that anybody found wanting would be prosecuted in accordance with the law of the land; noting that from the day the Minister read the riot act; it has not been business as usual.
