By Sarah NEGEDU
There’s no going back on the planned demolition of Abuja’s biggest scrap market, the Apo-Dutse Pantaker, as the FCT Administration vows to continue its demolition streaks across the territory.
The FCT Minister Malam Muhammad Bello, therefore gave operators of the Apo-Dutse Pantaker Market one week ultimatum to move from the site insisting the place harbours suspected criminal elements.
The Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to FCT Minister, Ikharo Attah, at an interactive meeting with stakeholders of the pantaker market over the weekend said the minister has given a marching order that the market confirmed to be riddled with several challenges be removed.
He noted that operators of the pantaker market had pleaded for enough time to enable them remove all their property.
Attah said the decision to extend the ultimatum by one week, was due to the Ramadan. He explained that the Minister demonstrated magnanimity, but insist that the location of the market was illegal and contravenes Urban and Regional planning rules.
“FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello has given a marching order to clear the place, because criminals are largely hibernating their, even the people have admitted that the criminals have stolen some electrical installations there.
“We have warned them and given them ultimatum before, but they pleaded that their pantaker is not like the other ones, but the biggest in the country. They said that parking their things will take almost one month. We reviewed it because of the Ramadan and agreed on one week after the Sallah to vacate the place,” Attah added.
One of the leaders of Apo-Dutse Pantaker Market Association, Ambusa Umar, said the operators have consented to the decision of the administration, but pleaded for two weeks, instead of one.
Umar who noted that the operators are law abiding citizens, working to eke out a living and also contribute to the country’s economic growth.
He equally acknowledged that the place has recorded security challenges, but urged the administration to consider their request.
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