The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), wike nyesomsays it will demolish all illegal buildings and structures in the territory as part of efforts to restore the Abuja Master Plan.
Wike said this at a press conference in Abuja on Monday to announce the short-, medium- and long-term plans to overhaul the FCT and reposition it among the best cities in the world.
As the new sheriff in town, he said, “It’s not going to be business as usual. Those who distort the Abuja Master Plan: If you build where you are not supposed to, the building will collapse.
“If you build in a green area, I’m sorry, it will collapse. Those who were assigned land and refused to develop it, we will revoke that land and reallocate it to those who are ready to develop it.
“We will not notify those who do not pay the rent of the land to do so, but I will not tire of signing revocation acts.
“The incomplete buildings that have been turned into a haven for criminals will be reclaimed by the government and put to good use.”
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The minister added that the government will no longer tolerate the indiscriminate operation of markets and car parks on the side of the road.
He said that people selling goods and merchandise under the umbrella at roadsides, illegal car parks and bus stops would no longer be tolerated, adding that they constitute part of the security challenge at the FCT.
“If you have a brother, sister, or uncle involved in any of these, tell them time is up. The goal is to sanitize Abuja and make it safe for everyone,” she said.
He also said that efforts will be made to strengthen waste management and restore all traffic lights to keep the city clean.
He added that motorcycle and trike operators would be banned from the city and open grazing within the capital city would be ended.
“We will be consulting with stakeholders, natives and herders to address some of these issues, including open grazing.
“We will provide alternatives to reduce the suffering of people, particularly those who do not have a private vehicle.
“We are going to bring public transportation back to improve access to public transportation, and therefore the person in charge of transportation must keep their record clean,” he said.
He said emphasis would be placed on infrastructure development, taking one project at a time to restore the city to its glory.
The minister said that the development will also be extended to the six Area Councils as part of the strategies to decongest the city.
He also said that all revenue leakage would be blocked to mobilize the necessary resources for infrastructure development in the FCT.
On security, Wike said that he would work with all the security agencies in the FCT and provide them with the necessary tools and logistics to rid the city of all criminals.
According to him, FCT is supposed to be the safest city in the country, adding, however, that the city is no longer safe.
“We will provide law enforcement with the necessary tools and logistics, and after that, we don’t want to hear excuses. What we want to see are results.”
Mr. Wike also promised to consider the natives in political appointments to help everyone.
He requested the support of all stakeholders including the media to restore people’s confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s drive to give people hope.
Mr. Wike was accompanied to the briefing by the Minister of State, FCT, Mariya Mahmoud; Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Adesola Olusade.
(YAYA)
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