TheCable

Minister of the federal capital territory, Senator Bala Mohammed, has disclosed that his administration destroyed 340 shanties in the city, including about 100 shanties used by squatters in Kubwa suburb as well as 18 batchers in Kpeyegi near Kuje, in July.

The minister made this disclosure after a meeting with senior officials of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) at his office in Abuja.

“The FCT administration will continue to protect the sanctity of the Abuja master plan, as it would not condone any illegal structures within the 250 square kilometers of the federal capital city, Abuja,” Mohammed said.

Restating the minister’s words, his chief press secretary, Muhammed Sule, noted that the minister insisted that the Abuja master plan was sacrosanct and all hands must be on deck to protect its principles, which from all ramifications are in tune with the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

“Senator Mohammed therefore instructed the director of the FCT Development Control, Yahaya Yusuf and all the district officers to work round the clock to maintain its sanctity because Abuja remains the window through which the World sees Nigeria and Nigerians,” he said.

“The Minister disclosed that 119 traders/stalls along walkways at Wuye district were removed during the same period under review, several illegal shops and fences in Apo resettlement layout and within Nyanya Amusement Park were also removed.

“Senator Mohammed noted that 82 shanties in Mabushi, Jahi and Kado districts were also removed as well as 4 shops in Kugbo market along popular Nyanya road.”

During the same period, the FCT administration received a total of 340 building plans seeking approval, 46 setting out/stage applications. Of these, the Department of Development Control (DDC) approved only 166.