The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Federal Capital Territory Administration, says it will relocate mechanics and traders operating on road corridors and buffer zones to Wassa.

The AMMC coordinator, Felix Obuah, disclosed this to reporters after a meeting with representatives of the affected traders and mechanics in Abuja on Tuesday.

Mr Obuah explained that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike had approved the exercise designated for such businesses, adding that the evacuation would begin in a month.

“We have decided to relocate all the traders on the road corridor, the buffers, and the right of way to Wassa any moment from now, and they are all happy.

“The minister has given the approval, and as I speak to you, the task force in charge of the area has been set up,” said Mr Obuah.

He identified those to be relocated as all traders, artisans, mechanics, spare parts dealers, furniture makers, roadside cooking gas dealers and others operating on road corridors across the city.

The AMMC coordinator said Mr Wike had given a matching order, adding that it would be followed judiciously without compromise.

Mr Obuah said the development would end the over 15 years of struggle to relocate operators of Apo Mechanic Village sitting on a road corridor and obstructing the right of way.

The coordinator added that the over 50 associations of artisans, mechanics and spare parts dealers in the FCT have been collapsed into four unions for effective coordination and information sharing.

He said the land allocation would be given to genuine traders, spare parts dealers, mechanics, furniture makers and artisans.

“We are not giving the land to individuals, friends, or civil servants. It is purely for traders, mechanics, spare parts dealers and artisans operating on road corridors.

“The beneficiaries will provide National Identification Numbers, phone numbers, their addresses and the kind of business they are operating.

“We will also set up an enumeration team to verify the information provided before we give out the allocations,” Mr Obuah said.

(NAN)