By Stanley Onyekwere
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Monday, chased out illegal occupiers of land and high power installations belonging to Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and other infrastructure development in Lugbe, thereby averting tragedy of lives and property in Lugbe and its environs.
The area, popularly known as Timber Shield Market directly under high electricity infrastructure right of way, had been illegally occupied by timber dealers, scavengers and other sellers of low value items in the area.
Fielding questions from journalists after demolition of the shanties , the Director Department of Development Control Federal Capital Territory Administration, Mukhtar Galadima, said the operation was part of the ongoing city cleaning and removal of illegal structures in the Territory.
Mukhtar Galadima said the area is corridor of the ring road 3 that connects Gwarimpa and public service institute, along onex as well link siraji to Apo mechanic area.
He noted that prior to the demolition exercise, several notices were served on the occupies followed by meetings with the traders and some key stakeholders.
He said: “The area is behind high tension line, TCN had awarded contract for the energization of the power line, and the illegal structures must be removed before the commencement of the work.
“Prior to the operation, we had invited all the traders and stakeholders for a meeting, and we briefed them of our intention.They were given enough time to relocate so that the work will commence, about two months ago.
“We are going to sustain it, nobody will be allowed to return to the area”.
Also speaking, the secretary Command and Control Centre, FCTA, Peter Olumuji reiterated that administration was committed to fighting activities that will pave way for crime, and would not allowed the unapproved area to exist.
Olumuji said: “The clean up exercise will help in securing lives and property in Lugbe and its environs.
“Aside what the Transmission Company of Nigeria is going to do, it will also help to reduce the crime rate within the axis, because the place harbour a lot of criminal minded individuals”.
According to him, the exercise also renew the FCT Administration’s war against drug dealers and other ill activities gaining ground in the area.
