The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has carried out a demolition exercise at the Apo Zone E, Gudu District, in Abuja, targeting unauthorised parks and illegal developments.
The operation was led by the Department of Development Control, which identified the illegal structures during a routine inspection of ongoing developments in the area.
According to the Director of the Department of Development Control, Mr. Mukhtar Galadima, the demolition was necessary because the parks were constructed without the necessary government approvals. The parks had extended their structures into road corridors, violating the Abuja Master Plan.
Mr. Galadima, who was present at the demolition site alongside officials from the Department of Parks and Recreation, highlighted the dangers posed by the illegal developments. He stated that one of the structures had been built on a green area, obstructing natural water channels. This, he warned, could lead to erosion and flooding if left unchecked.
“These parks were constructed without authorization,” Mr. Galadima explained. “They have encroached on road corridors and blocked waterways. If we allow this to continue, it could cause severe environmental damage, including flooding.”
The Department of Development Control had discovered these unauthorised structures during their weekly inspections. Mr. Galadima emphasized that such inspections are essential in maintaining the integrity of Abuja’s development. He reassured the public that the department would continue to monitor all ongoing developments in the city.
“We discovered strange developments in the area during our routine inspection,” Galadima said. “The structures were built on green areas and water channels. We had no choice but to halt the work immediately.”
The director also made it clear that any developer who refuses to comply with government regulations would face legal consequences. He noted that the FCTA would not tolerate any form of illegal construction within the Federal Capital Territory.
“All developers who ignore our regulations will be arrested,” Galadima stated firmly. “We will continue to take strong action against any unauthorised development in the city.”
The demolition was not just focused on the illegal parks but also on an illegal development that had been built on a green area. Mr. Galadima pointed out that such structures are a serious threat to the environment and public safety.
“These structures obstruct waterways, and if allowed, they could cause erosion and flooding, which would affect the entire community,” he added.
Mr. Chinemelu Echee, the Director of Parks and Recreation, also weighed in on the demolition exercise. He expressed the administration’s commitment to reclaiming all green areas that had been illegally converted for other uses. He emphasized the importance of protecting Abuja’s green spaces and ensuring that they remain in their natural state.
“There will be no compromise when it comes to protecting our green areas,” Echee said. “We will not allow any park or development to operate without genuine approval from the government.”
Echee also decried the indiscriminate cutting of trees by developers engaging in illegal construction activities. He stressed that such actions not only violate environmental laws but also pose a threat to the city’s natural beauty and ecological balance.
“Cutting down trees to make space for unauthorized structures is unacceptable,” Echee said. “We must put a stop to these acts, as they harm our environment and undermine efforts to make Abuja a sustainable city.”
The FCTA’s actions serve as a stern reminder that all developments within the Federal Capital Territory must comply with the Abuja Master Plan and the necessary regulatory frameworks. Unauthorized structures that violate these regulations will continue to face demolition, as the administration seeks to protect the city’s infrastructure, environment, and public safety.
As the FCTA intensifies its efforts to maintain order in Abuja’s development, residents and developers alike are reminded of the importance of seeking proper approval before embarking on construction projects. The demolition exercise in Gudu District is just one example of the administration’s commitment to preserving Abuja’s planned growth and natural resources.