Demolition hits Mpape Community, as FCTA clears Illegal structures along the road side

The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, on Wednesday visited Mpape community, demolished illegal buildings and shops situated along the roadside.

The demolitions which took place on Wednesday, came barely two weeks after FCTA warned the occupants of the shops and building to remove their belongings.

Speaking to journalists, Ikharo Attah, the Chairman FCT Ministerial Committee on City Sanitation, stated that the demolition was a result of requests made by the Landlords and tenants of Mpape community to the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Muhammed Bello, to come and clear the roadside and reclaim the road shoulders in the community.
He stated that they didn’t plan to make it painful as they notified the occupants of the Illegal buildings and shops over three months before the demolition exercise.
Peter Olumuji, the Secretary Command and Control Center of FCTA stated that the demolition was to contain security challenges as criminals hide and reside in the shanties located on the road corridors, adding that the demolition would go a long way to tackle the security challenges in the community.

The Director, Development Control, Garba Kwankur told Signature TV that the buildings demolished were built without a permit from the Federal Capital Development and therefore should be removed

Kelechi Chukwuma, a shop owner who was affected by the demolition said that they received notice of the demolition from the FCTA but they did not clearly map out the area that would be affected, stressing that they didn’t know that the demolition would affect them.
Traders and residents of the community expressed worry over the wanton demolition and destruction of their shops and houses, adding that they were frustrated as they have been displaced and their livelihood affected by the demolition.

The demolition was carried out by FCTA officials and a combined team of security personnel.