The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, yesterday pulled down about 35 structures at the River Park Estate, Abuja, citing breach of planning regulations and disregard for ministerial directives.
The demolition exercise, carried out by the Department of Development Control, targeted substructures that had reached excavation and foundation levels.
Officials said the move followed the recommendations of a ministerial committee that all undeveloped plots in the estate be reverted to the FCTA.
Director of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, who led the enforcement team, said developers had continued construction despite the withdrawal of their lease agreements.
He stressed that the action became necessary after reports emerged that some parties were working round the clock to fast-track developments on the disputed plots.
“About a week ago, there was an event at the Honourable Minister’s office where two committees submitted their reports.
One of the committees was on issues surrounding the River Park Estate development. One of the recommendations forwarded was that all undeveloped plots within the estate be reverted back to the FCT Administration.
“So we got a report that certain developers are hurriedly working day and night to develop some of the vacant plots. We served them notice to stop work.
This morning we came, we saw them working, that’s why we are removing the structures, the excavations and all those structures put on ground,” Galadima stated.
On claims linking Paulo Homes to the construction, he said the legal secretariat would clarify the matter.
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He added that from committee reports, the Development Lease Agreement,DLA, had expired. He warned that any further illegal building activity would not be tolerated, stressing that over 30 excavated foundations would be covered. He added that repeat violations could attract prosecution.
The ad-hoc committee on the review of disputes surrounding the estate, chaired by Salmon Dako, had earlier submitted its report to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
It explained that revocation of undeveloped plots was due to breach and expiration of lease terms and the need to reassert administrative control, as provided in Clause 9.2 of the DLA.
The committee, however, recommended that holders of “customary” titles who had already developed their plots in line with planning standards should be allowed to retain them.
Meanwhile, some affected residents expressed frustration over the exercise.
Chimdi Obwe, who lives in the Ciarudi area, said the demolition left him cut off from his home, destroyed part of his property, and forced his family to relocate.
The FCTA maintained that the operation was necessary to uphold urban planning standards and restore order in the estate, stressing that all future developments must strictly comply with extant regulations.
Crediblenewsng.com
