DEVELOPMENT CONTROL SUMMONS DUTSEN-GARKI NATIVES AHEAD OF DEMOLITION……
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
The increasing number of Individuals acquiring lands from the Abuja Original Inhabitants without approval has become a thing of concern to the FCT Administration.
More worrisome is the gross economic lost, psychological trauma that comes with enforcement, and the adamant nature of most Nigerians, particularly the none- indigenes that usually lost everything whenever demolition takes place without compensation of none- indigenes.
To this end, the original inhabitants of the Dutsen-Garki natives have been summoned for dialogue by the Department of Development Control ahead of the proposed demolition of houses in the area.
Director Department of Development Control FCTA , Mukhtar Galadima during the dialogue issued two weeks ultimatum to the representative of the natives, to carry the message back to their people to avoid being taken unawares.
Mr Galadima, who was represented by the Deputy Director Monitoring and Enforcement, Hassan Ogbole, said the administration would not spare any building on flood plain or structure without approval from relevant Authorities.
“In line with the FCTA reform agenda, before we embark on any removal we have to consult with the natives, so that we don’t take them unaware.
The city is grappling with individuals acquiring lands from natives without FCT Administration approval, it is unacceptable to the government, this must not continue. officials of the department will use two weeks to mark the illegal structures before embarking on the full demolition exercise.” Galadima said.
Lending his voice, the representative of Resettlement And Compensation FCTA, Dr Saliman Dauda sternly warned all those patronizing the indigenes for land to desist from such act, adding that the FCT Administration would not compensate any none indigenes that falls prey .
Also, the Deputy Drector Monitoring and Enforcement Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Kaka Bello said the illegalities were affecting the environment and humans, especially in the aspects of pollution and construction of structure in flood plain areas.
“A part from illegal expansion, people also build on water ways and is not good for the environment. The illegalities if not tackled will bring about flood and erosion” .
The Dutsen-Garki community representative , Mr Danjuma Fanus who noted that the indigenes are not against modern development, appealed to the FCT Administration to give them more time to overcome the shock of their late Chief , and get their people properly informed.
“We appeal to the FCT Administration to give us more time, we just loss our chief. We will get back to the officials of the administration before the expiration of the deadline. And they should not demolish any house that is not marked for demolition.” Fanus said.