Demolition of shanties must continue – Wike insists

…Vows not to succumb to blackmail

By Stanley Onyekwere

Following recent protest against efforts to clean up Abuja, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, has declared that no amount of blackmail can stop the FCT Administration under his watch from removing shanties posing security threats to the territory.

Wike made this assertion Sunday night while on an inspection to the Ruga settlement situated in between Wuye and Kukuaba Districts.

He particularly told those protesting and calling for his removal as FCT minister that he would not succumb to threat from any quarters, as such will stop him to do the right thing, which is demolishing all shanties that constitute security threats in the FCT.

However, while addressing hundreds of the displaced illegal settlers in the area, he cautioned that nobody should erect any structure, either permanent or temporary in the area.

He also announced the set up a seven man committee of security agencies, the Director of Lands and Director, Development Control to interface with the five man delegation of Ruga leaders to make recommendations for the attention if government.

“This is government land and the issue of grabbing land as alleged does not arise.

“ We want them to bring five of their leaders to meet with the committee on Tuesday. But we will not fold our hands and allow this here.

“Government has decided that we will look into the matter and come out with a final decision. No amount of blackmail, intimidation and abuses will deter us, we must do our job, it doesn’t matter who you hire, you call them civil society or who ever they are. Our interest is to protect the lives and property and to save guard Abuja to be one of the best cities in the world.”

Recall that some human rights activities had on Saturday visited and mobilised the community to demonstrate against demolition of the squatters settlement otherwise known as Ruga community, which commenced Tuesday last week.

Earlier, one of the displaced illegal inhabitants, Abba Garo, who identified himself as the leader of the Ruga settlement, had appealed to the minister to consider their plight and help them shelter where they can stay in the city.

Garo informed the minister that the latest demolition exercise was the 22nd time the community has been demolished.

He claimed that they are about 10,000 dwellers in the shanty community. He said he has been there for 37 years and that they are not claiming the land.

He said they have been giving way each time developments like the National Stadium and Abuja Metro Light Rail get to their domain.