The Federal Capital Territory Administration ( FCTA) has removed the popular makeshift market and squatters settlement behind the Old Federal Secretariat, Area 1 Garki.
Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Development Authority Shehu Ahmed, said the operation was to tackle security issues threatening the peace of residents around the old Secretariat.
Ahmed decried the spate of criminalities that have taken over the large expanse of the land, behind the Secretariat, originally designed to be a road and train transit corridor.
According to the Executive Secretary, FCDA, a temporary car park and a food court would be established there to keep illegal occupants and criminals away from the place.
Senior Special Assistant to FCT Minister on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, Ikharo Attah said the illegal structures constituted threats to the old Federal Secretariat where several Ministries are situated.
According to him, FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello has continued to condemn attitude of residents in violating laws made to guarantee peaceful coexistence in the city.
He explained that city sanitation has come to stay following Ministerial directive that aggressive enforcement should commence.
Comrade Attah however assured that the taskforce would continue to respect human rights in all its operations.
” we were here one week ago to warn them and asked them to park, some of them have parked, but those who are stubborn remained, thinking that we are not serious. The Minister has insisted that we can’t have wanton illegalities… in the heart of the city.”
By Remi Johnso,edited by Grace Namiji