The Federal Capital Territory, the Abuja Environmental Protection Board conducted a significant demolition exercise on Saturday, targeting unauthorized markets situated in Area 11 and the vicinity of the Federal Secretariat.

The Director of AEPB, Mr. Osi Braimah, emphasized that although the government had designated specific areas for small-scale trading, some traders had failed to comply with these guidelines, leading to a situation that raised security concerns.

He stated, “For security purposes, it is not good to have point of sale (POS) operators all over the place. We advise people to do things in designated places to forestall insecurity issues. For example, the POS operators have been told to move into plazas so as not to have POS canopies all over the expressways. This is even better for our people if the POS operators are in the plazas, everyone will know them.”

Braimah continued by highlighting the broader scope of the operation: “This is an ongoing exercise by various agencies of the FCT. AEPB has been given a marching order by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to clear all shanties, illegal markets, and squatter camps in the FCT.”

Moreover, the encroachment of part of the Federal Secretariat had implications for road access and corridor utilization.

To address this issue, Braimah expressed optimism that ongoing road projects within the FCT would soon resolve the problem.

He also encouraged property owners to swiftly develop their plots, a key factor in enhancing the city’s overall aesthetics and security.

KaKa Bello, AEPB’s Deputy Director of the Monitoring and Enforcement Department, clarified that the demolition exercise was part of a routine effort to maintain the city’s cleanliness and address the concerns that had emerged over time.

He noted that the Area 11 market, known as the “COVID-19 market,” had initially been allocated to provide essential groceries to residents during the pandemic.

However, with the situation improved, it was expected that traders would return to Garki Market, where they had established shops.

Bello added that some traders had disregarded these arrangements, now selling unapproved goods, leading to an unhealthy environment.

He cautioned, “By the time we come back on Oct. 21, we will roll the machines to finally break the place down.”

In his concluding remarks, Bello noted that the site of the demolished market was a rail corridor, and plans were in place to develop a “park and pay” area to prevent the illegal occupation of the location.

The operation to remove shanties and illegal markets forms part of an ongoing campaign by various FCT agencies to enhance city sanitation and address the associated security challenges.