From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has cleared more than 1,000 makeshift shacks and illegal shanties obstructing roadways in the Karsana area bordering Bunkoro District, Gwarimpa, as part of an ongoing effort to reclaim the corridor for infrastructure development and enhance local security.
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Director of Development Control, Muktar Galadima, revealed the scope of the operation on Monday during the FCTA’s Citywide Sanitation exercise, a coordinated task force initiative aimed at evicting squatters and individuals of questionable character inhabiting the area.
Describing the location and details of the clearance, Galadima said, “Today’s exercise is carried on along the proposed Ring Road 3 corridor at the intersection of N16 and the Ring Road 3 corridor where we have the MAP Global Estate. As we all saw it, you can see the shanties, the squatters and also the people of questionable character. So as part of the citywide sanitation exercise to enhance security, that’s why we are here today to continue as planned.”
On the extent of the demolition, he added, “When you look at these structures, they are mostly made of shacks, temporary materials. So far so good, I believe we have cleared more than 1,000 around this place and we are about to continue because the work is enormous and the stretch of the road is as long as 2 kilometers, all consisting of shacks and shanties.”
Regarding the long-term plans for the road project and concerns about possible reoccupation of cleared sites, Galadima explained, “We have had discussion with relevant authority, which they have said that for now the Ring Road 3 is not yet awarded but the N16 has been awarded and the work is in progress. So we are trying to come up with a plan that will make sure that these activities are not repeated here.”
Some structures were spared during the operation because of indigenous inhabitants residing on the corridor. On this, Galadima noted, “Yes, we have been intimated by the Department of Resettlement and Compensation that there are some indigenous communities on the corridor.
That’s why we try as much as possible not to interfere with the existence of such communities… For tomorrow’s exercise to be smooth, we want our representative of Resettlement and Compensation to be with us so that they can guide us which and which is the indigenous communities. And those that are not indigenous communities, we can excuse them and tell them to move on.”
He further reported no resistance from locals during the clearance: “No, glory be to God, the people are really cooperating. There is no resistance and they are even supporting where necessary. Except for one incident that in the course of trying to move a truck, they accidentally hit one of our security agents.”
The clearance covers a 2-kilometer section spanning Karsana and the adjacent Bunkoro District, also known as Gwarimpa’s Barimpa area. About the geography, Galadima clarified, “This is part of Karsana Boundary Bunkuru District, which people refer to as Barimpa, which is Bunkuru District. On the other side is Karsana District, where you have Map Global, you have Epa Estate, and you have Epa Prince.”
Peter Olumuji, FCTA’s Command and Control Unit, speaking on behalf of the Director of Security, Adamu Gwary, emphasized the security implications of the operation: “Well, this Map Global Estate Axis, which has other estates, has been a great source of concern for those residing within the estate. And you will know that there’s a very tight nexus between development control and security of their lives and property.”
He highlighted that criminal elements had used the area’s shanties to mask illicit activities. “What we have seen here is that we noticed, because we have indigenous community here, these criminal elements try to do shanties behind those indigenous communities to serve as a cover to their own shanties. And most of the issues that have occurred within this axis emanate from this particular axis.”
Despite the operation, no arrests were made. Olumuji stated, “No, we did not make or effect any arrests. What we are doing right now is to firstly make sure we clear this place. And those with criminal intentions too, naturally are also living in this environment.”
Regarding concerns about tinted glass vehicles used for crime, he added, “We also know that we’ve been able to do other clearance operations within the city center, especially impounding vehicles and tinted glasses, which are constant reports that these are vehicles being used for one chance… Impounded vehicles that have faked the tinted glass permits… have the capacity to commit crime.”
Regarding sustainability of the clearance to prevent relocation elsewhere, Olumuji said, “Yes, like I mentioned some few weeks ago, the city sanitation team is clearing shanties within the city. And we also have on our table that most of these people will try to go to Interlands, Juicy, and the rest beside the area councils. And that’s why we still have the operation Street Papuja working simultaneously with this particular operation. So once they think they are moving to those area councils, the operation street team are also there to ensure that they don’t have a safe haven.”
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