FCT news
Resident counts loses As FCTA demolishes illegal residential structure, filling station inside NASS complex
Joel Ajayi
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Monday in Abuja demolished an illegal private residential building and a filling station under construction inside the National Assembly Complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja.
Alhaji Muktar Galadima, Director, FCTA Department of Development Control, who led the exercise, told newsmen that the land was initially allocated to the developer to construct a commercial filling station.
Galadima, however, said that the developer without permission decided to unilaterally commence building of a residential property adjacent to the land earmarked for the station.
He said: “following series of complaints from the Office of the National Security Adviser on the security implications of citing a filling station inside such a complex, the allocation was reviewed and revoked.”
Galadima, who disclosed that compensation had already been paid for the revoked land and property built, however, stated that “no compensation will be paid for the adjourning residential structure.
“This property you are seeing is a petrol filling station. The place was allocated to a corporate entity for the provision of a filling station within the National Assembly.
“Unfortunately, it was later on observed and reviewed as a mistake for obvious security reasons for such a facility to be situated within the Three Arms Zone.
“So after doing the necessary diligence, the FCT Administration thought it fit to remove the structure and give way to the office of the National Security Adviser to take over the land,” he said.
He said that the department followed a long procedure before demolishing the illegal structure marked since 2015.
“When the FCT Administration received correspondence regarding the obvious security implications of the facility, we had to follow due process because approval was granted for the development of the land.
“So, we had to assess and value the property, as well as pay compensation to the affected party. That is why it took us this long to remove this structure.
“We are humans and we are not perfect. Sometimes we make mistakes, but this type of obvious one is something that should not have been done in the first place.
“There is a specific location for each land use as regards the Abuja Master Plan. So because you feel that you have money and can just rush and build filling stations at any place is not allowed,”
…Urges Them To Celebrate Safely
Joel Ajayi
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has sent warm felicitations to the residents of the Territory especially the Christian faithful on the celebration of Christmas.
In his annual Christmas message, Malam Bello enjoined them to use the occasion of Christmas to reflect upon, and rededicate themselves to the virtues of love and peace as exemplified by Jesus Christ.
Malam Bello also reminded residents that the FCT was similarly founded on the principles of love for country, respect for fellow citizens, and peaceful co-existence in a united Nigeria.
He, therefore, urged all residents of the FCT, to continue to imbibe these virtues as embodied by the season of Christmas.
Malam Bello equally called on residents to be very cautious while celebrating Christmas in the face of the second wave of COVID-19 which, he reminded residents, is even more virulent than the first wave.
While urging residents to use the occasion of Christmas to pray for the quick end of the pandemic, he enjoined them to comply with all the guidelines on COVID-19 prevention as announced by the relevant health authorities.
The basic measures, which have been proven to save lives, the Minister reminded residents, include physical distancing, hand washing, use of face mask, and avoiding large gatherings.
He urged them not to be carried away by the euphoria of the festivities and let their guard down but to celebrate safely by obeying all the established health protocols.
Malam Bello thereafter called on residents to be security conscious during the festivities and assured them that the security agencies have been adequately mobilized to protect lives and property during the holidays.
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