TheCable

The federal capital territory administration (FCTA) has commenced the demolition of 2,400 rural grazing area (RUGA) settlements along the Kukwuaba-Wuye district, which leads to the Nnamdi Azikiwe international airport, Abuja.

Muktar Galadima, FCTA director, who disclosed this on Tuesday, explained that the action is part of a bigger plan by the FCT administration to end security challenges posed by threats of Boko Haram insurgents and kidnappers.

According to NAN, Galadima said the demolition did not come as a surprise to the residents, because the FCT administration had consulted them before embarking on the exercise.

“This is in continuation of the implementation of the FCT mandate of the next level by ensuring that we checkmate the issue of security challenges, as well as bringing orderliness and sanitation to the nation’s capital city environment,” Galadima said.

“So far, we have cleared over 1,000 shanties. The work is ongoing, so we will continue until the end. We had a series of consultation with them (RUGA owners) because in the spirit of the current administration, we don’t just move in; we do some engagement and consultations, so that the people would be fully aware. And that is what we have done with the community here.”

Ikharo Attah, chairman, FCT task force on city sanitation, said the demolition became necessary as the area was fast becoming a hideout for criminals.

“From my own assessment, what will eventually go here will be about 2,400 structures, because even as at today, the bulldozers are still working. It is really painful, but the displaced persons should understand that the city centre is not for everybody; they should go to the suburbs,” Attah said.

Usman Abubakar, a settler in the area, appealed to the FCTA to provide alternative settlement for them.

“We will be satisfied if the government can give us a small land in this Abuja so that we will occupy and settle down, considering that our children, especially youth and our women, are living here. Now, many of us have nowhere to go from here,” he said.

“We are pleading with the government to consider helping us, because the incident has affected at least 500 households.”

Editor’s note: This picture was used for illustrative purposes