The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has given a one-week notice to squatters, mainly suspected hoodlums who have made makeshift settlements under bridges in various areas of Abuja. The move aims to address security concerns and restore designated green spots that have been taken over.
Fred Kpakol, the senior special assistant on Environmental and Waste Management to the FCT minister, expressed concern about the invasion of these areas, which he described as an eyesore. He said these squatters engage in activities that pose health and safety risks, such as burning firewood, which could damage the bridges.
Kpakol and officials of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) visited the squatters to raise awareness of the impending eviction and to highlight the potential health and security risks associated with staying in such locations.
He stated that the FCTA’s Operation Storm is set to clear these areas, and legal actions will be taken against those who do not comply with the one-week eviction notice.
Kpakol stated, “You are aware of the increasing prevalence of kidnappings and other crimes that people commit from different places and run under the bridges, taking refuge under the slums there, which is unacceptable. The government is committed to making the city clean, and for this city to be clean, slums like this have to be taken care of.
The security of this city is very important as the face of Nigeria, and we cannot deface the country. We want to warn on a very strong note that any human being that comes here to stay must leave. If you have the capacity or potential to do something in the city, then you take up what is right for you to do and stay, not just come and look for anywhere to stay and become a nuisance to society. It is entirely unacceptable, and we have given them one week, within which we will come and evacuate them from these places.”