The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Wednesday inaugurated a high-powered interagency task team to sustain the ongoing city sanitation.

The sanitation includes the demolition of illegal structures, impounding and crushing of errant commercial motorcycles, and fighting against criminalities.

The team members were drawn from different Secretariats, Departments and Agencies (SDGs) of the administration.

They were expected to build more synergies with the Office of Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to ensure holistic operations.

Addressing journalists, the executive secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Shehu Ahmad, who is also the team leader, disclosed that FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, was worried that illegalities had continued to thrive in different parts of the territory.

Mr Ahmad, who underscored the importance of the ongoing exercise aimed at returning sanity to Abuja, said the minister had deemed it fit to incorporate more people into the team.

Mr Ahmad further said the FCT minister duly identified all the concerned locations and mapped out a strategy for effectively removing such illegalities.

“Illegal structures and other constructed projects at Katampe extension, stoppage of clearing for commencement of development at Katampe and other locations.

“Encroachment on the right of way of development of primary infrastructure at Guzape and other locations, Illegal development and encroachment into layouts by villagers in Durumi I, II and III.

“Shanties and illegal structures at Dagba, Monkey village and Illegal IDP camp in Durumi District; Illegal operation of commercial motorcycles in Durumi, Asokoro, Asokoro extension, Guzape, Durumi/Area 1, Lugbe, Airport Road and Kubwa expressway.”

Mr Ahmad added that the task team resolved to continue with the exercise to curb crime and criminality.

He said the proliferation of illegal structures induced such nefarious acts, shanties and unlawful operation of commercial motorcycles were controlled and brought to the barest minimum.

“The FCT Administration, through the relevant SDAs (FEMA), employs appropriate mechanisms to ensure profiling of all IDPs with the view to take further actions.

“Similarly, owners of plots of land within the cleared areas should be identified and notified to take possession of them to forestall any possibility of resurgence by such miscreants,” Mr Ahmad added.

He listed the high-powered task team to include the coordinator of Abuja Metropolitan Management Council and the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement.

Others are Directors of Departments of Development Control, Security Services and FCTA, Urban and Regional Planning.

Mr Ahmad said others are the directors of Lands Administration, Abuja Geographical Information System (AGIS), Survey and Mapping, Engineering Services FCDA, Resettlement and Compensation.

The rest include the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Parks and Recreation and Chief Security Officers (Police and SSS).

Also, Senior Special Assistant to FCT Minister on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, Ikharo Attah, debunked the reports that the task force had been abusing human rights during its operations.

(NAN)