Devt Control demolishes settlement in Kpaduma

Officials of the Department of Development Control (DDC) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have demolished structures in a settlement near the highbrow area of Kpaduma, Asokoro district. Accompanied by a team of security personnel, DDC officials at the weekend stormed the settlement known as Mountain village, located near Dantata yard, a few metres […]

Officials of the Department of Development Control (DDC) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have demolished structures in a settlement near the highbrow area of Kpaduma, Asokoro district.

Accompanied by a team of security personnel, DDC officials at the weekend stormed the settlement known as Mountain village, located near Dantata yard, a few metres away from the Nnamdi Azikiwe express way, with a bulldozer and cleared structures.  

They pulled down no fewer than 130 buildings, purportedly developed by people who had encroached on the hill top area.

They also demolished kiosks and other structures being used for businesses and religious activities  in the area.

Speaking during the exercise, the Acting Director of the department,  Mr. Mukhtar Galadima,   noted that the action was to ensure safety of lives and property in Kpaduma and environs.   

He described the exercise as a timed operation in furtherance to the effort at maintaining the sanctity of the Abuja Master plan.

He noted that prior to the demolition exercise, the department had adequately informed inhabitants of the place to remove their belongings and leave, since August 2016, with several follow up quit notices.  

However, some affected persons expressed shock and anguish over the destruction of their structures in the site, saying they were caught unawares by the action.  

While some of them complained that they were not given notice before the demolition, others made a passionate appeal to the government for provision of an alternative land, to enable them to resettle their families.