FCTA pulls down 11 duplexes under high tension
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Thursday removed not less than 11 duplexes that were built under high tension in Abuja. Two others close to the stream channels were also pulled down. Our correspondent learnt that the duplexes belong to an unnamed federal government’s agency The Director of the Director of the FCT Department […]
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Thursday removed not less than 11 duplexes that were built under high tension in Abuja.
Two others close to the stream channels were also pulled down.
Our correspondent learnt that the duplexes belong to an unnamed federal government’s agency
The Director of the Director of the FCT Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, who led the demolition exercise, said the owner of the estate applied for building plan approval and they were declined because their proximity to high-tension line, as well as a stream channel but they went ahead with the building.
He noted that the estate owners were served several notices to stop work but were all ignored.
He said, “This is Garba Duba Street, that is within the Dutse District of Abuja, Federal Capital City. That’s phase two of the Federal Capital City, not far away from popular Cedarcrest, as well as Amina Court. So, we’re here this morning to enforce our notices being served.
“They requested for approval and applied for building plan approval, which we declined for the fact that it’s in close proximity to high-tension line, as well as a stream channel. So, we declined to grant approval, but they moved ahead to work.
“We have been serving notices, even from the excavation stage. Various stages of development, we’ve been serving notices, we even communicated to them in writing that the work should be stopped. But unfortunately, maybe considering their institution and agency, they moved on.”
The Director, however, said since it is a statutory allocation, the administration is ready to give them another plots.
“What we advise is that since this is a statutorily allocated plot, the FCT administration can give them alternative sites, being an important institution of the federal government.
“The alternative has not been given because they have not applied, they have not intimated the FCT administration of the need to be given alternative plots.”
The director warned intending developers to first clarify and get building approval before starting building, advising them to always heed to ‘Stop Work Notices’.