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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has begun the execution of his threat to pull down all illegal structures in the territory.
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The popular Abuja (Area 1) Shopping Complex on Monday became a victim of the the minister’s threat as all illegal shops attached to the market were removed.
The FCTA authorities said the demolition of the illegal structures was to give the Area 1 Shopping Complex a new look.
The decision to pull down the structures was taken by the authorities of the Departments of Development Control, Security Service, the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and the Abuja Investments Company Ltd (AICL) in a meeting with the traders in the complex last Friday.
The Director of Department of Development Control, Muktar Galadima, had disclosed after officials from the FCTA decided to meet with the managers of the market to reach an understanding before carrying out the cleaning exercise.
He noted that, “The way the congestion in the market is unhygienic and is not good for the safety and health of the traders and customers.”
He explained that all the kilishi and suya sellers would be located under one roof, parking spaces inside the market would be removed and that they should have one source of energy instead of littering the market with generating sets and causing air and noise pollution.
“God forbid, but imagine if there is a fire outbreak in this market, it will be disastrous, and rescue operations impossible. As a government, we do not have to wait for that to happen before we take action.
“Remember, we were here last year to do some clean up, but this time, it is different. We are going to remove all the attachments and create space inside the market for parking.
“We are not happy with the traffic situation caused by the activities in this market. So, we will sanitise it in line with the vision of the Nyesom Wike-led FCTA in sanitising the FCT.”
Speaking on behalf of the traders, Umar Uba thanked the FCTA for the meeting, promising that they would assist the authorities in sanitising the market since it was for their good and the good of their customers.
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