Planned demolition of 19 Abuja towns creates panic

Planned demolition of houses in 19 satellite town of
the Federal Capital Territory has created panic
among Abuja residents.
Already, the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council
has marked structures to be pulled down in Mpape
near highbrow Maitama area.
Other settlements to be affected are Idu, Karmo,
Dape, Tasha, Gwagwa, Saburi, Zauda, Jahi and
Gishiri.
The rest are Mabushi, Kuchigoro, Chika, Aleita,
Piwoyi, Lugbe, Pyakassa, Tudun -Wada, Dei-Dei and
Guzape.
Our correspondent learnt that a majority of the
owners of the property had been running around for
alternative accommodation before the arrival of the
demolition teams.
It was learnt that residents, whose houses were
marked for demolition at Mpape, had been searching
for accommodation at Kubwa, Dutse Alhaji,
Gwarimpa.
The Public Relations Officer, AMMC, Mrs. Josie
Mudasiru, told our correspondent on Monday that the
demolition would affect property without genuine
land allocation documents and building approvals.
She explained that the demolition would be carried
out in the 19 communities as part of measures to rid
the FCT of illegal structures.
Mudasiru said, "We have sensitised the affected
communities about the structures that will be
affected during the exercise. All buildings on illegally
acquired land and every structure without legal
building approval/document will be pulled down."
Meanwhile, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy
Centre has flayed the FCT Administration over the
planned demolition describing it as insensitive and
inhuman.
Policy and legislative advocacy officer of the centre,
Kolawole Banwo who spoke with newsmen
condemned the decision and called on the
administration to rescind it.