Abuja’s Gishiri Village Extension, Katampe District, has witnessed a significant transformation as the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) launched a rigorous demolition campaign against illegal constructions.
Mr. Samson Atureta, the District Monitor for Katampe and Mabushi in the Development Control Department of FCTA, reported on the ongoing operation during which 5,000 unauthorized buildings on unapproved plots were razed to the ground.
Speaking from Abuja on Wednesday, Atureta revealed that the demolition initiative aimed to restore order by eliminating all illegal structures and buildings that were erected without proper authorization.
The FCTA has undertaken this drive to ensure compliance with the esteemed Abuja Master Plan, which governs the city’s urban development.
Careful consideration and due process have been adhered to throughout the enforcement activities.
Necessary approvals were secured, and the enforcement team meticulously assessed each building on encroached areas before initiating demolition.
Atureta emphasized that the primary objective was to enable the legitimate plot allottees to rightfully take possession of their land.
In some cases, these individuals were unable to access their allocated plots as certain unscrupulous individuals had unlawfully sold portions of the land to unsuspecting residents, who had subsequently constructed buildings on them.
The demolition campaign has achieved substantial progress, with approximately 60 to 70 percent completion.
The demolition team, accompanied by security personnel, deployed bulldozers and excavators to carry out the operation efficiently.
All buildings and structures situated on unauthorized lands were marked for demolition and promptly razed to the ground.
In contrast, those structures possessing legal documents were spared from the wrecking ball.
In addition to clearing illegal constructions, the Development Control Department successfully reclaimed a hectare of land around the base of Katampe hill.
The area had been designated as a green space for recreational purposes, and its restoration adds value to the community.
The FCTA’s ongoing demolition campaign in Gishiri Village Extension represents a significant step towards upholding the sanctity of the city’s development plan.
As rightful allottees regain ownership of their plots and illegal constructions are eradicated, Abuja moves one step closer to a well-organized and harmonious urban landscape.
