The House of Representatives Committee on area councils, has subjected the officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to questions on the ongoing demolition of illegal structures in Kuje area council.
The House Committee, in response to a petition today, August 18, by victims of the demolition, wanted to know why the action was being embarked upon at the time the country is going through economic hardships.
And, the Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Umar Shaibu, said that the exercise is being undertaken by the administration to identify areas that have been used as hideouts by criminals thereby constituting threats to national security, peace and order.
According to him, in carrying out the demolition, careful procedure is being followed and that all extant laws are being adhered, adding that critical stakeholders are being engaged at different times to ensure human rights are not bridged.
This was even as the Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to FCT Minister, Ikharo Attah, said that the administration has been worried about the security breaches that had taken place in Kuje in recent time.
According to him, the breeches could not be tolerated, as such activities of the underworlds put the administration in bad light.
Attah added that certain people have disregarded earlier warnings that they should stop converting the reserved railway corridors and public abattoir site to residential homes.
Also, the director of Development Control, Muktar Galadima, said that area councils have the right to allocate lands in FCT after the reforms that were introduced in 2005.
He added however, that local chiefs do not have the legal right to transfer any valid title to anyone.
The representative of Kuje area council chairman, Ishaku Habila, who is also the chief surveyor of Kuje area council, confirmed that the council followed the illegal developments, especially at the railway corridors with concern.
