FCTA demolishes shanties housing over 1,000 people in Wuse Zone 3

The Department of Development Control of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) of the FCT Administration (FCTA) has demolished shanties illegally built on a road corridor in Wuse Zone 3.

The Coordinator of AMMC, Mr Felix Obuah, told journalists after the exercise on Wednesday that the move was part of efforts to clear all shanties in the city.

Obuah said that the location was preserved for a road corridor and was illegally occupied by unknown people thereby posing a security threat and defacing the beauty of the city.

He further said, “Also disturbing is that criminals and miscreants have made this location a haven.

• More burden for Nigerians as Tax Committee recommends VAT hike
• Park-and-Pay: FCT residents seek more enlightenment

“So, we decided to come and clear all the shanties and remove the criminals that have taken over the road corridor to give Abuja its desired beauty.

“We can’t allow this again. Our aim is to beautify the city and make Abuja a city we will all be proud of.”

Reacting to the development, Malam Mohammed Musa, the chairman of the community, said the area was occupied by about 1,000 people.

Musa said that the occupants of the place, called Unguwan Yan Lambu, predominantly dry season farmers, had been there for about 27 years.

He acknowledged receiving a notice of the demolition and thanked the government for allowing them to stay there for over 27 years, making a living from dry season farming.

He, however, called on the FCTA to come to their aid, adding that some of them were displaced from their homes by bandits and other forms of insecurity.