… say 50 more to go
At least 10 duplexes and bungalows in the Sabo Lugbe area of AMAC have been demolished for developing without authorisation from the relevant departments of the FCT Administration.
The Department of Development Control which carried out the operation on Thursday, said the exercise was part of its renewed fight against activities of land grabbers in the city.
Director of the Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, who led officials to the area, said this was in continuation of its reinvigorated enforcement exercise targeted at mitigating land use contraventions especially in notorious land grabbing spots in Lugbe, Idu Train Station, which is now part of Gosa and Kyami, Apo Tarfi respectively.
Galadima recalled that sometimes back, there was caution over the issue of land grabbing, during which the administration warned that it was going to deal with the issues of land grabbing.
In his words, “We are here for removal exercise today at Sabon Lugbe Southwest area, which is part of the phase five district of the Federal Capital City. We just started with just about 10 structures, but tomorrow we are coming back in full swing
“And recall that sometimes back we warned that we are going to bounce on land grabbers. So this is in continuation of the enforcement exercise, which had started.
“We want to inform the general public that for any person to buy any property in Abuja, please ensure that it is rightly titled property with approved development plan, but failing to do so, you could fall into the hands of these land grabbers, and please don’t blame the FCTA.
“There are areas that these land grabbers are really having a field day. They Idu Train Station, which is now part of Gosa and Kyami, Apo Tarfi area and Lugbe. And today we are in Lugbe, and we will continue as it is a continuous exercise. So, illegal developments will not be entertained.
“The people that are deceiving them that they are going to be integrated into the phase 5 of the FCC should be warned and bewared. There is nothing like integration. Illegality is illegality, and we will continue to be removing them.”
On when the design and upgrading of the new phase 5 of the FCC into the Abuja Masterplan will be ready for use, the Director said, ” I think the FCT Urban and Regional Planning is working hard on that.”