NAN
The Abuja Municipal Management Council (AMMC) and other agencies in the Federal Capital Territory Administration on Thursday continued the demolition of illegal structures and shanties in Nyaya.
Officials of the agencies said that the exercise was a continuation of efforts to rid the area of miscreants and illegal business operators and to maintain security in the area.
The exercise saw the demolition of an illegal settlement in Kugbo called, “Better Life Village’’, and the Kugbo Mechanic Village where vehicles were removed by officials of the Directorate of Road Transport Services (DRTS).
The exercise is a joint effort by AMMC, Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Development Control Department, Parks and Recreation, and DRTS.
Malam Yahaya Yusuf, Director of the Development Control Department, AMMC, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that it was strategic for shanties and illegal structures to be demolished because they served as hideouts for criminals.
He said that less than one week after the area was cleaned up, the illegal structures had resurfaced and added that the exercise would be sustained.
“We came here just last week to remove illegal structures but I am amazed that the structures have resurfaced.
“These shanties serve as hideouts for criminals and we will not relent in our efforts to ensure that they are removed from Abuja and we would ensure that this exercise is sustained.
“There are plans to develop a land site for residents who are genuinely engaged in cottage industries but criminally-minded individuals would not be accommodated,’’ the director said.
Some residents of the area, however, complained that the demolition could further increase insecurity in the territory.
Michael Dang, a resident of Kugbo, said that the continuous demolition of property in the area was not fair to residents.
“They keep talking about insecurity but what they are doing will not solve the problem
“What we want is protection by the authorities and not for them to further compound our problems,’’ he said.
Steve Martins, a resident of Nyanya , also expressed sadness over the exercise and advised the government to consider the low income residents in their policies.
