Officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) demolished illegal structures on land belonging to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and for other infrastructure development in the Lugbe area of Abuja on Monday.

Addressing newsmen after the exercise, Mukhtar Galadima, the director of the department of development control, FCTA, explained that the area, popularly known as Timber Shield Market, Lugbe, was not approved.

Mr Galadima added that the area, located behind a high-tension line, was illegally occupied by timber dealers, scavengers, and other sellers of low-value items.

He said that the TCN had already awarded a contract for the energisation of the power line, adding that the illegal structures must be removed before the commencement of the work.

He further explained that the area was a corridor of the Ring Road III, which connects Gwarimpa and the public service institute along one axis as well as linking Siraji to Apo mechanic area.

According to him, the operation is an ongoing exercise to clean up Abuja city by removing all illegal structures wherever they exist.

He noted that prior to the demolition exercise, several notices were served on the illegal occupiers, followed by meetings with the traders and some key stakeholders.

“Prior to the operation, we had invited all the traders and stakeholders for a meeting, and we briefed them on our intention.

“They were given enough time to relocate so that the work would commence about two months ago.

“We are going to sustain it; nobody will be allowed to return to the area,” he said.

Also speaking, Peter Olumuji, the secretary of the command and control centre, FCTA, said the cleanup would help secure lives and property in Lugbe and its environs.

Mr Olumuji said that the administration was committed to fighting activities that would pave the way for crime, adding that no illegal community would be allowed to exist on unapproved land.

“Aside from what the Transmission Company of Nigeria is going to do, it will also help to reduce the crime rate within the axis because the place harbours a lot of criminal-minded individuals.

“The demolition exercise is also a renewed war against drug dealers and other criminal activities gaining ground in the area,” he said.

(NAN)