Squatters threaten Abuja bridges, FCTA raises alarm

The FCT Administration has issued a week quit notice to hundreds of squatters suspected to be hoodlums taking refuge under bridges in Garki, Wuse II, Maitama and Wuse Districts of Abuja. The Administration warned them to leave immediately or face the wrath of the law. FCTA officials said some of the affected places are supposed […]

The FCT Administration has issued a week quit notice to hundreds of squatters suspected to be hoodlums taking refuge under bridges in Garki, Wuse II, Maitama and Wuse Districts of Abuja.

The Administration warned them to leave immediately or face the wrath of the law.

FCTA officials said some of the affected places are supposed to be green spots but they are virtually turned into slums, where people carry out nefarious activities in the city.  

Dr. Fred Kpakol, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Environmental and Waste Management to the FCT Minister, said the invaded bridges had become an eyesore, where people set fire with firewood, which he said could affect the lifespan of the bridges.

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He spoke when he led officials of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) to sensitise the squatters on the looming health and security threats, informing them that they are prone to diseases and other environmental hazards.

He warned those staying under the bridges in different parts of the city to leave before the expiration of the notice.

 He said: “The full arm of the law will be invoked, that is why we have given them one week to be out of these places, because we are going to be moving from place to place, and make sure that things are put in the right, where they are supposed to be.  

“You are aware of the prevailing kidnappings and other atrocities people commit from different places and run to the bridges, taking refuge under the slums there, which is unacceptable.’’

 Deputy Director, Monitoring and Enforcement of the AEPB, Kaka Bello, reiterated that at the expiration of notice, enforcement would be carried out with relevant agencies at some of the bridges on Ahmadu Bello Way, Ademola Adetokumbo way, Wuse II and the Park way, along the Wuse market area.

Bello listed other notorious spots to the bridge on Ahmadu Bello Way, close to Diamond Bank Junction and also the bridge just before Area 11, where there are lots of artisans.

An artisan operating under the bridge near City Park in Wuse II, Emmanuel Abraham, lamented that the looming clearance operation would not only dislodge him and others struggling to survive, but make them more vulnerable to the prevailing security and economic threats in the city.