FCTA clamps down on park operators at Garki

It was pains, tears and sorrow on Saturday when officials of the Development Control of Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) swooped on occupants of illegal business structures at the Central Area.

The early morning demolition exercise involved the use of a bulldozer and armed security operatives by the AMMC officials.

The exercise which lasted for about an hour, resulted in the removal of structures declared by the department as illegal.

Speaking at the demolition site, AMMC’s Coordinator Reuben Okoya, said that the structures were demolished because illegal activities were being perpetrated inside the parks

He said: “These are illegal structures where illegal activities are perpetrated. Here somebody has taken a private plot, a residential plot and turned it into what it ought not to be.

“This contravened the city plan of Abuja and that will not be condoned. They constructed a park, a church, a dog breeding ground, security office. The level of impunity going on here is just not acceptable. A casino, gambling, prostitution and all other sort of things are going on here. They have taken a private residential plot, merged it with a green area, and having 24- hour activities in the city and this is not allowed. So, we are bringing it down to ensure that we conform to the city’s master plan.”

He said that the department informed the parks operators of the impending demolition.

“Of course, they were informed, I was here yesterday (last Friday) to inform them and, in any case, we don’t need to inform criminals and people performing illegality of what we are going to do. We have the mandatory responsibility to clean up the city so, when we see such illegal action we simply clean up. You don’t have to tell a criminal that you are coming to do your work. Our job is 24 hours and we do it. We informed them yesterday it is just a matter of policy system,” he added.