Abuja newspapers distribution facilities demolished

The Abuja newspapers distribution facilities, Area 1 Garki, were demolished by officials of the Department of Development Control of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) Monday afternoon.

A statement by Abuja Newspapers Distributors Association, which was signed by the President, Comrade Joshua Orogun and Secretary, Emmanuel John respectively said the demolition ruined property worth millions of naira.

Orogun expressed displeasure over the action, saying he had led a delegation of distributors to meet with the director two weeks ago and that both parties agreed the distribution ground remained pending when the development control comes up with the design of what should be built at the premises.

“I feel so heart-broken that we can be treated like criminals by development control, an agency we see as a friend. My team and I were with the director in his office two weeks ago and he acknowledged our existence, considering the importance of our business in news dissemination . He said he would get us the design of what we can build at the ground . It is the design we have been expecting, only for the same agency to roll out its machines and armed men to come and demolish the place,” he said.

He said the distribution ground started in the year 2000, and the association has spent over N14m to develop and maintain the place.

“Formerly the site was used for refuse dump and a hide-out for criminals but we transformed into what it is today,” he added.

When contacted on phone, the Acting Director, Development Control , Alhaji Mukhtar Galadima, said the demolition was an error but that they were meeting with officials of the association to find the way forward.