The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Monday demolished houses and structures allegedly erected illegally in Gishiri community in Katampe District of the territory.
Officials of the Development Control Department of the FCTA, accompanied by joint security personnel, stormed the area with two bulldozers and pulled down the structures.
Mr Samson Atureta, District Monitor, Katampe and Mabushi District, FCTA, who led the team, said the exercise was part of continued efforts to reclaim lands developed by illegal occupants.
Atureta, a town planner, said the illegal occupants erected the structures on peoples’ plots, allocated for residential and commercial buildings, including those for educational and religious purposes.
He said the exercise started about two months ago, adding that, “this is our fourth visit to remove illegal structures and extensions in the community.
“There are many illegal developments and extensions in the Gishiri community, that is why we are clearing it for the rightful owners to take possession of their plots.
“So, what we are doing here is to ensure that those developments either in the form of buildings or extensions, are removed.
“So far, we have removed more than 100 illegal structures in the area,” he said.
He assured residents that the houses of indigenes and those with legal papers would not be tempered with.
He said that owners of the affected structures were duly notified about the intended demolition, adding that final notice had been issued a week ago, asking the occupants to remove their valuables and vacate the area.
One of the affected residents, who simply identified herself as Mama Blessing, said they were not given enough time to leave.
Blessing, who operates a drinking joint, appealed to the FCTA to provide them an alternative place to relocate.
“We are not rejecting the demolition exercise because we know that it is government land, but demolishing our houses and structures without providing an alternative place for us is really painful,” she said.
