By Stanley Onyekwere
The Federal Capital Territory Admission (FCTA), has constituted a high-powered committee to ensure the seamless and hitch-free relocation of Apo mechanics and traders to their permanent site at the Informal Sector in Wassa District.
The FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, disclosed this on Wednesday, during a consultative meeting with the leadership and members of the Apo Mechanics and Traders Association at his official residence in Life Camp, Abuja.
The Committee chaired by Wike himself, others includes: Hon. Chidi Amadi – Chief of Staff to the Minister Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda – Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA)Chijioke Nwankwoeze – Director of Land Administration, Tpl Abubakar Makama – Ag. Director of Urban Affairs, AMMC Hon. Christopher Maikalangu – Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
To guarantee transparency and resolve lingering grievances, Wike directed the committee to engage directly with trader associations and submit a comprehensive report within one week.
He also ordered an immediate, three-day fresh physical verification exercise at the Apo Mechanic Village to eliminate fraud and ensure only genuine business operators are captured.
“What is better is to do physical identification and enumeration because if we allow people to go and write names, you will write your in-laws, you will write your great-grandchildren who do not even have anything to do with the area,” Wike stated.
The Minister emphasized that the continued presence of mechanics at the current Apo site is directly obstructing an ongoing major road project.
He assured verified traders that Rights of Occupancy (R of O) will be prepared and signed before the end of the year, followed by Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) once development begins in Wassa, where primary infrastructure has already been commissioned.
During the meeting, Wike also drummed up support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and potential reelection, highlighting the government’s commitment to delivering key infrastructure.
“See as we are taking pains to solve your problems. So, take pains to also give the President your support.
“FCT is where I work. Rivers State is my state. If I cannot deliver where I work, I am not worthy to be here,” he stated.
In response, the leaders of the Apo Mechanics and Traders Association, Chief Chimezie Ifeh and Comrade Chinedu Nweke, commended the Minister for his hands-on approach and grassroot engagement, pledging their full cooperation towards a peaceful relocation process and affirming their support for the administration.
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