The FCT Ministerial Task Force on City Sanitation, on Monday, dismantled a scavengers’ camp and illegal markets at Lugbe on the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Road.
The Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to the FCT Minister, Ikharo Attah, who led the exercise, disclosed that the activities of the scavengers, popularly called baban bola, were constituting nuisances in the area.
He explained that the Lugbe Federal Housing Authority Estate junction, phases 1 and 2 and Lugbe by Berger Yard were very sensitive areas that needed to meet up with the best standards and as such illegal acts would not be allowed to continue in the areas.
Attah said the Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Bello, after inspecting the area with the task force team at the weekend, reminded the team on the need to maintain sanity on the airport road.
He said, “We cleared shanties and scavengers on the airport road some time ago, but suddenly the illegal activities are gradually returning. The Minister of the FCT visited Lugbe area at the weekend and directed that serious action must be taken.
“The FCT Commissioner of Police, Sunday Babaji, who plays key role in the operation, also insisted that all the illegal activities that paved way for criminal acts on the road must be checked.”
Attah disclosed that many of the demolished illegal shanties were suspected criminal hideouts where hoodlums smoked marijuana and other illicit drugs freely.
A trader, whose illegal structure was affected by the demolition, Mrs Rukiyat Abiodun, decried the frequent dislodging of their shops by the FCT officials, saying the government should consider the traders’ plight.
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