The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has disclosed the rationale behind the demolishing of over 400 illegal structures in the territory.
At the weekend, a combined team of security operatives and the FCTA officials had demolished illegal structures at Lugbe-Across, Lugbe-Berger, Car wash and Lugbe Zone 5 along Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Speaking with newsmen during the exercise, the Director of Security Services in the FCTA, Adamu Gwary, said some of the illegal structures are used as safe haven for criminals and settlers.
Mr Gwary vowed that the administration will not fold its hands and watch criminals overrun the city.
According to him, the Minister of FCT, Muhammad Bello is not happy with illegal structures posing security threat to the city.
“The minister of FCT is not happy with the development along the Airport road and as such, he ordered the removal of all activities that will deface the vicinity and also create a security threat to the nation’s capital. You can see that there are so many nuisances that come along with its own security implications. Recently the minister presented a paper on items vandalized.
“Ones there is the political will which the minister has given the go-ahead we will sustain it. We have the support of the security agencies and all the departments in FCT are at work. You can see that we came out in the rain, once there is that go-ahead, there is no going back, we will sustain it.
“If we identify where there is a nuisance, we will pencil it down for operation. It is not only the Airport road but the Airport road as you know is the eye of the city so, we cannot afford to joke with it,” he added.
Also speaking, the Chairman, FCT Ministerial Committee on City Sanitation, Ikharo Attah, said the operation was occasioned by national security.
Mr Attah explained that the Administration had received disturbing reports that some illegal makeshift structures were being erected along the Airport road despite several demolitions.
“We enjoy strong political will from the minister. Very sadly, just last week we were here and after clearing this place people have rebuilt some structures. And we have cleared many structures again and this time around we have taken more drastic measures.
“We also appeal to people, some of them who are building back after seven days of clearing, are saying they have approached the FCDA. We do not collect bribes. We do not compromise land use standards. Don’t give bribes and we will not take.
“Anywhere the minister asks us to clear, that we will do. We cannot keep a city anyhow. People want to leave illegally”.
