FCTA described as pathetic the invasion of a high tension line area for business activities 

… Takes steps to reclaim ungoverned spaces

Favour Ishember, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has described as pathetic the invasion of a high tension line where any kind of activity was not supposed to be going, as it’s takes steps to reclaim ungoverned spaces occupied by hoodlums and other criminal elements threatening the peace of residents of the territory.

The FCTA Department of Development Control on Monday, said the moves is to

curb the rate of crimes being perpetuated in the neighbourhoods, and to recover and convert some of the open spaces to Parks and Recreation Centers.

Shortly after a clean up exercise in Katampe extension,the Director,  Development Control Department, TPL Mukhtar Galadima, told journalists  that similar measure will be replicated in other areas where the administration recently moved in to demolished shanties.

Represented by the Deputy Director, Monitoring and Enforcement of the department, Hassan Ogbole, Galadima lamented that the hoodlums constantly returned to the area despite being cleared severally.

He said, “We have done this in several locations and we are here in Katampe extension. This is a high tension line where any kind of activity is not supposed to be going on around it but unfortunately, this is the fourth time the task team will be here. Whenever we remove, they come back. We know they are being exploited by people within themselves and outside, but we are investigating thoroughly to bring those involved to law.

“We will keep doing this. We can’t leave an ungoverned space and that’s why we are working on governance now. We are working in partnership with the residence association of Katampe Extension as well as and Parks and Recreation Department. Sooner or later we will get them to take proper occupation of this place so that these people will not come back.

“Before then we will keep coming here to make sure they don’t come back.” He said.

The Assistant Director in charge of Maintenance, Parks and Recreational Department, Engr. Isa Abdulmalik, disclosed that the measure will be replicated in ungoverned spaces in Kabusa, Gaduwa, Guzape, Apo Dutse, and others.

“We are going to fence this place, put a recreational facility which will be between us and the residents here to serve as a neighborhood park, so that the people here can make use of the facility.

“With this, I think we will curb most of the illegal activities and the taking over of this place by hoodlums in the past. So I believe when we do that the neighborhood and the people around will enjoy the facility. There are so many other places within this city so far, that we have recovered and created parks there. Some of these areas are Kabusa, Gaduwa, Guzape, Apo Dutse, and others.”

In a related development, the FCTA through the Abuja Investment Company Limited, AICL, has commenced the beautification and reorganisation of the demolished sites of the city’s informal activities.

To this end, the Galadima’s led-joint city management task team that have been working with relevant security agencies such as the Nigerian police, NSCDC, the NDLEA, the DSS, the Immigration Service, the correctional service, and fire service visited new facility at Area 1 Shopping Centre built for sellers of Kilishi (an Hausa name for dried Nigerian beef jerky).