By Daniel Tyokua
The officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Monday, demolished illegal structures at Dei-Dei and Kubwa areas of Abuja.
Structures affected during the exercise include kiosks and extensions attached to perimetre fence of Dei-Dei Livestock, tables and chairs used for various trading activities, purportedly constituting environmental and security challenges.
Speaking on the operation, the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of FCT on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, Ikharo Attah, said due to the volatile nature of the area, a strong combined team was mobilised to free the traffic congestion by getting rid of shanties along the major road corridors, which also constitutes security threat to road users and other residents.
Attah stated that the whole Dei-Dei road axis is about the issue of removing the entirety of illegalities around the place particularly the service lane of the Zuba-Kubwa Expressway is fully covered, and the other main lane is also blocked road connecting down to Zuba axis is also blocked as well as the Livestock market area is completely blocked.
“We came out for a general clean up in Kubwa, Dei-Dei and Zuba axis.
During the exercise, the team came under attack, because Deidei has been known to be volatile with so much criminalities and illegalities in the place.
“So we are removing illegalities, so as to free Deidei from traffic congestion and security threats.
“We have been able to do very sufficient work in Deidei and Kubwa. We know that for sure that some of the criminal elements will want to resist that, but as a government we pushed them back, minor injuries sustained and we are good to go.
“One or two persons were injured but largely, the area is calm now, and those who are criminal elements, who tried to stop the enforcement were dispersed, and work continued”.
Reacting to the development, one of the Livestock dealers at Deidei, Murtala Idris, expressed sadness over the exercise, which he said was carried out without due notice.
“We are not happy, because it is the same government through the management of the International Livestock Market that gave us the permission to build shops for our livestock activities there, and they generate revenue from us.
“And we were not adequately informed about the exercise, even they were the ones that permitted us to build shops here, and so there is no expectation that they will just came and demolish everything without due notice, that is why I’m not happy.
“Now, I have been displaced, but if the government had notified me to remove my shop, I will follow the rules, and remove it myself”.
