By Daniel Tyokua
Residents of Mpape hills in Abuja have urged the minister of FCT to clear all illegal structures posing security threat in the area.
Chairman, Mpape Residents Association, Gen. John Agi (Rtd) stated this on Tuesday, when he led other members on a courtesy visit to the Minister.
He lamented that even moving in and out of Mpape has become very tiring and precarious for motorists and commuters
Agi explained that the structures have continued to increase and pave way for bandits as well as frustrating traffic gridlock along the Mpape only major road corridor.
The residents said life has become very unbearable for them, following persistent criminal activities in the area.
Agi stated that intelligence reports have revealed that the wave of crimes in the community was alarming due to unchecked migration of many questionable characters who are indiscriminately building shanties and other illegal structures along the road shoulders.
He said that many of the suspected criminals pretend to engage in petty trading along the road, but resorts to crimes at night. He also added that traders and mechanic workshops have taken over great parts of the roads, imposing painful constraints on residents and other users of the road.
The retired Military officer pleaded that FCT Administration should immediately carry out a comprehensive sanitation both along the road shoulders and other places in the community to get rid of the criminal elements, to guarantee safety and security of lives and properties.
While he added that the demolition was urgently needed, he also called the Minister to facilitate provision of basic amenities to the community.
In his remarks, the Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello said his administration has remained consistent in ensuring that Abuja master plan was preserved, while the administration works hard to ensure quality infrastructures across all the districts.
The Minister therefore, directed the Director, Department of Security Services, Adamu Gwary, to immediately galvanise all relevant agencies to commence clean up of Mpape Road corridors and environs.
He also noted that all illegal structures must be removed, and that there is no hiding place for criminal elements and law breakers within the nation’s Capital.
