By Stanley Onyekwere
The FCT Ministerial Task Force Team on City Sanitation, has extended the deadline for the planned demolition of the largest illegal market in Apo-Dutse, an Abuja suburb, just after expiration of fifteen days notice.
Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to the Minister of FCT, Ikharo Attah disclosed this when he visited the market to remind them on the need to adhere to the directive.
Attah, who was accompanied by security operatives and other senior officials of the administration, said the team had extended the demolition deadline, due to passionate appeal from the traders, and in the spirit of Ramadan fast.
He said series of notices have been issued to the traders to vacate the place yet they failed to comply.
“The market is the largest place for scrap and is illegal, it has been harbouring high degree of criminals, though there are still good ones.
“We had received series of complains and the minister of FCT has directed that the market should be removed because is illegal.We gave them one week, we have given them another five days notice and it has elapsed about 15 days, for them to quit.
“They have appealed that, they are humans so they should be allowed to finish the Holy month of Ramadan and Sallah before pulling down the place, but they have already started removing their things.
“We told them that is not in our powers to decide until the Minister is properly briefed on the development, if he agrees, then they will have two weeks to leave”, he stressed.
Furthermore, the SSA, who also revealed that most of the criminals hide in the market, said there are also few good individuals in the area.
The vice chairman of the market, Aminu Mohammed said they would not opposes the position of the government.
“We would not oppose government directives, already we have started removing our things, but as humans we appeal for more time because of the Holy month of Ramadan, at least after the Sallah celebration we will leave finally”
