FCTA asserts that the ongoing Kuje Demolition is intended to reduce crime and insecurity. NASS Summon
On Thursday, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) stated that the continuous demolition of illegitimate buildings in Kuje Area Council was done so as to reduce crime and other forms of insecurity.
This is in response to a petition from demolition victims, its officials provided this justification when they spoke before the House of Representatives Committee on Area Councils.
Umar Shaibu, Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), stated that the administration undertook the initiative in order to swiftly address threats to the nation’s security, peace, and order.
He stated that to ensure the protection of human rights, a careful approach was followed, all applicable laws were upheld, and the key players were also involved at various points.
The Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to FCT Minister, Comrade Ikharo Attah hinted that before the exercise, the administration was worried about the security breaches that had taken place in Kuje.
This breeches, he said could not be tolerated by the administration, as it puts government in a bad light.
Attah explained that the most painful situation was that certain people disregarded warnings and illegally converted reserved railway corridors and public abattoir site to residential homes.
Also , speaking the Director of Development Control, Muktar Galadima explained that Area Councils had since list the right to allocate lands in FCT after the reforms that were introduced in 2005.
He added that local chiefs also do not have the legal right to transfer any valid title to anyone.
The Representative of Kuje Area Council Chairman, Ishaku Habila, who is also the Chief Surveyor of Kuje Area Council, confirmed that the Area Council had followed the illegal developments, especially at the railway corridors with concern.
He further noted that notices were served at illegal occupants, while some of the buildings were removed, but the land was illegally acquired by others.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Yusuf Tijjani assured that justice would be done to both Government and the victims of the demolition.
He also endorsed the motion raised by the Committee members who raised the alarm and doubts over the integrity of documents submitted by the victims and claimants.
The committee has ordered the FCT Minister to appear before it, produce all relevant documents to the exercise.
Meanwhile, the Counsel to the Victims, Victor Onyekachi, urged the Committee to compel the Minister to do things right by first revoking the land, halting further demolition in the area and also enumerate the houses that were demolished and compensate the victims.
