The Federal Capital Territory Administration on Thursday demolished 11 duplexes in the Dutse District of Abuja for being built under high-tension power lines and along a stream channel.
The Director of the Department of Development Control, Muktar Galadima, who led the exercise, said the developer went ahead with construction despite several stop-work notices from the FCTA.
“This is Garba Duba Street, within the Dutse District of Abuja. It’s part of phase two of the Federal Capital City. We’re here to enforce our notices that were duly served,” Galadima said.
He explained that although the developer applied for building approval, the request was denied due to the site’s proximity to a high-tension line and a stream channel.
“We declined to approve, but they moved ahead to work. We have been serving notices right from the excavation stage, even writing to them to stop work. But they ignored the warnings,” he stated.
Galadima added that the engineering department of the FCTA reported the developer’s plan to construct a bridge, prompting the immediate decision to carry out the demolition.
He, however, said the administration might consider giving the developer another plot since the land was initially statutorily allocated.
“The FCT administration can consider giving them an alternative site because the original plot was properly allocated,” he said.
On why the demolition was delayed until the structures were almost completed, Galadima said, “Once you are served a stop-work notice, you should stop. If you don’t, we’ll allow you to waste your money, and then we’ll bring it down.”
He warned developers to always verify from the FCTA before proceeding with any construction, stressing that the law would soon be strengthened to penalise those who erect illegal buildings.
“There will be no compensation. Compensation is only given to approved properties affected by government development. These buildings had no approval, and they ignored repeated warnings,” Galadima said.
