Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, says it would start the demolition of illegal buildings within the popular Area 1 Shopping Complex, to returning the complex to its previous original state, today, Monday, September 18.
All the attached stores, other illegal buildings, and incorrect parking spaces that had previously rendered that area impassable to traffic will be eliminated.
Authorities from the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, which consists of the Departments of Development Control, Security Service, the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, AEPB, and the Abuja Investments Company Ltd, came to this decision after consulting with market vendors.
This was made known by the Director, FCTA Department of Development Control, Muktar Galadima over the weekend after a meeting with traders and owners of shops at the Complex at Diplomats Park, behind the mall.
Galadima told the traders that the current people-friendly FCT Administration decided to meet with managers of the market so as to reach an understanding before carrying out the cleaning exercise.
Accordig to him, the congested nature of the market, its unhygienic and untidy conditions were not good for any emergency and health, “The way the market is very congested and unhygienic is not good for the safety and health of the traders and customers.
He insisted that all the kilishi/suya sellers would be located under one roof, parking spaces inside the market would be removed and that they should have one source of energy, instead of littering the market with generating sets, causing noise pollution.
“God forbid, but imagine if there is any fire outbreak in this market, it will be disastrous, and rescue operations impossible.
“As a government, we do not have to wait for that to happen before we take action.
“Remember we were here last year to do some clean up, but this time, it is different. We are going to remove all the attachments, and create space inside the market for parking.
“We are not happy with the traffic situation caused by activities of this market so we will sanitize it in line with the vision of the Nyesom Wike-led FCT Administration in sanitizing the Federal Capital Territory,” Galadima said.
He, however, called for support of all stakeholders of the market, noting that the Administration would make necessary arrangements to provide alternative shops for those who would be affected by the clean up.
Speaking on behalf of the traders, Umar Uba thanked the FCT Administration for thinking it wise to meeti and inform them of the plans to remove illegal structures in the market.
Umar pledged that they would assist with the authorities in sanitizing the market since it was also for their good.
