According to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, shanties in some areas of the territory are a security risk and ought to be dismantled.
During his visit to the demolished phase 2 of Ruga on Sunday, he stated that the government will take over the area that was seized by thugs despite warnings and threats of blackmail.
This comes amid outrage over the recent demolition of illegal buildings in the Ruga neighborhood, which is close to Wuye District and is thought to have harbored criminals.
In order to communicate with the five-member Ruga community delegation and provide proposals for the government’s consideration, Wike also established a committee that included representatives from security agencies, the director of lands, and the director of development control.
In the meantime, Wike has directed that no new buildings, either temporary or permanent, be constructed until the committee’s proposals are finalized.
Wike stated that since this is government property, the supposed problem of land grabs does not exist.
On Tuesday, we would like them to meet with the committee with five of their leaders. However, we will not stand by and let this happen.
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The government has made the decision to investigate the situation and make a final determination. We must perform our duties regardless of who we hire, whether you label them civil society or someone else. No amount of extortion, threats, or abuse will stop us. Our goal is to safeguard people and property while preserving Abuja as one of the world’s greatest cities.
Remember how a civil society organization organized the neighborhood to protest the community’s demolition on Saturday?
Additionally, Wike promised to demolish any such shanties that pose a security risk in the FCT.
Abba Garo, the dwellers’ leader, had already urged the minister to take their predicament into consideration and take action.
Garo informed the minister that the neighborhood had been demolished 22 times since the most recent demolition on Friday.
According to him, there are roughly 10,000 people living in the slum. They are not claiming the land, he added, adding that he has been there for 37 years.
He claimed that every time new developments like the National Stadium catch up to them, they have been compromising, as has the railroad.
The leader of the Ruga village pleaded with Wike to assist in providing a place for us to stay.
