By Omeiza Ajayi
ABUJA: Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Friday stormed Apo-Dutse District in Abuja, the place 11 duplexes constructed by the Nigeria Police Pressure below high-tension energy traces have been demolished by the Growth Management Division.
Wike, visibly angered, condemned what he described as a brazen abuse of energy by the Police, following the arrest and detention of FCT Growth Management enforcement officers who carried out the demolition.
“Authorities is right here to implement guidelines, to not break them. How can anyone take such a threat, constructing straight below high-tension traces? Even when there have been no excessive pressure, as soon as Growth Management says no approval, no person has the proper to take the legislation into their arms simply because they’ve power”, Wike declared.
In line with him, the Nigerian Police had earlier utilized for approval to develop the land, however the request was turned down on security grounds.
“They refused to cease, they went forward. When Growth Management got here right here to do the proper factor, the officers have been arrested. That’s unacceptable. I’ll take this up with the suitable authorities as a result of this can’t stand,” Wike vowed.
Wike expressed shock that an establishment charged with imposing the legislation would overtly violate planning laws and endanger lives.
He assured residents that the FCT Administration wouldn’t hesitate to implement planning legal guidelines, whatever the standing of the violator.
“Think about the hazard if these duplexes had been accomplished and folks began residing right here. One spark, and a whole bunch of lives can be misplaced. We can’t fold our arms and permit impunity within the title of growth,” Wike warned.
The minister promised to formally elevate the matter with the Inspector-Basic of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who he stated was out of city and should not have been conscious of the event, insisting that Abuja’s masterplan should not be compromised below any guise.
The Director of Growth Management, Mukhtar Galadima, who accompanied the minister, disclosed that the disputed land – Plot 189, Cadastral Zone B14, Dutse – was allotted to the Police in 2018 for institutional growth.
He defined that the division denied approval after observing that the plot fell straight beneath high-tension transmission traces and likewise throughout the route of a proposed flood-control bridge.
“We wrote to them clearly stating why we couldn’t grant approval. They ignored our letters and notices, proceeded with excavation and building, and even after we connected a replica of a letter from the Division of Engineering in regards to the bridge, they nonetheless defied us.
“Yesterday, we had no possibility however to maneuver in and implement compliance. Sadly, our officers have been detained by the Police till the minister intervened.”
The Administration had on Thursday demolished the 11 duplexes for blatant violation of metropolis planning laws, warning that builders who ignore official directives won’t solely lose their investments but in addition face stiff penalties.
The duplexes, positioned alongside Garba Duba Avenue in Apo-Dutse District, have been erected straight below high-tension electrical energy traces and throughout stream channels, elevating severe security and environmental considerations.
Galadima, who led the enforcement group had stated the house owners have been repeatedly warned however selected to defy the legislation.
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