Development control vows to demolish all illegal structures in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) through its Department of Development Control has vowed to demolish all illegal structures in the capital city. The department, on Friday, demolished a two-storey building for contravening land use by building on a plot designed to be an open area. FG to repatriate 4,982 Borno refugees in Cameroon Herdsmen […]

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) through its Department of Development Control has vowed to demolish all illegal structures in the capital city.

The department, on Friday, demolished a two-storey building for contravening land use by building on a plot designed to be an open area.

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The Director, Development Control,  Alhaji Mukhtar Galadima, said the building was illegal, adding that many such buildings would be demolished in Lugbe.

“As far as the department is concerned, the building  stands illegal and we vowed to remove it.  Thank God today, we have pulled it down.

“The demolished structure will be reverted to its original land use. There is a provision for a muster point, if there is any eventuality, this is the place where the residents converge as their safe haven before aid will come.”

“This has been a kind of continuous campaign on the approved developments in  FCT. We have been saying this over time that people must obtain development permit before commencing any development in the territory,” he said.

The structure, located on Plot 4545 at SIL Estate, Mbora District, Abuja, was subject of bribery allegation against officials of development control. There were allegations of some officials of the department collecting N10 million to allow the building to stand.

Asked why building approvals take time to be issued, he said: “It is an attitude thing, not a cumbersome thing. We have tried to review the process to 28 days that is why we are always  conversing with consultants.  If they want, we can give them approval so that within the time specified they do the right thing, right from the design stage. This is so that they meet our standard and specification and by the time they get there they are sure of getting their approval within 28 days.

“To further make it easier for prospective developers,  we want to open zonal development control offices where they can just walk in and submit their drawings, all the necessary preliminary investigations can be done there and brought for final approval.

“There is need for us to have offices in Kubwa, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Karshi where people can submit their drawings,” Galadima added.