TheCable

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has demolished houses and structures erected illegally in Gishiri community, Katampe district of the FCT.

NAN reported that officials of the development control department of the FCTA, accompanied by joint security personnel, stormed the area on Monday with two bulldozers, and pulled down the structures.

Samson Atureta, FCTA’s Katampe and Mabushi district monitor, said the action was part of continued efforts to reclaim lands developed by illegal occupants.

Atureta, who led the demolition, explained that the occupants erected the structures on lands allocated for residential and commercial buildings — including those for educational and religious purposes.

He said the exercise, which started about two months ago, is the agency’s fourth visit to “remove illegal structures and extensions” in the community.

“There are many illegal developments and extensions in the Gishiri community; that is why we are clearing them for the rightful owners to take possession of their plots,” NAN quotes Atureta as saying. 

“So, what we are doing here is to ensure that those developments, either in the form of buildings or extensions, are removed. So far, we have removed more than 100 illegal structures in the area.”

However, Atureta said the houses of indigenes and those with legal papers would not be affected by the demolition. 

He explained that owners of the affected structures were duly notified about the intended demolition.

He added that the final notice was given a week ago, asking the occupants to remove their valuables and vacate the area.