AMCC demolishes 27-year-old shanties in Abuja

The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) has demolished a 27-year-old shanties in Anguwan Yan Lambu in Wuse Zone 3, Abuja.

The Coordinator of AMMC, Felix Obuah, who ordered the demolition, said that the illegal settlement had been reportedly there since 27 years ago.

Obuah told newsmen after the exercise in Abuja on Wednesday, that the move was a part of efforts to demolish all the shanties in the city because they are on main roads.

D’Gallery gathered that the shanties had been demolished several times but were rebuilt by the occupants.

Obuah said that the location was preserved for a road corridor, but was illegally occupied by unidentified people, thereby defacing the beauty of the city and posing a security threat.

“Also disturbing is that criminals and miscreants have made this location a safe haven,” he said.

“So, we decided to come and clear all the shanties and remove the criminals that have taken over the road corridor to give Abuja its desired beauty,” he added.

“We can’t allow this again. Our aim is to beautify the city and make Abuja a city we will all be proud of,” he said.

Obuah promised to set up a task force to ensure that none of the removed shanties are rebuilt and the criminals don’t return to the place.

“We are going to write a memo to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to seek his approval and see how far we can go about the relocation plan,” he said.

“From what we can see, there is a huge number of people illegally residing here. So, if we can relocate them within a very short possible time, they won’t come back here.

“We are also going to make provisions to make sure that they do not suffer undue hardship.

“You see, some of the occupants are very young; some with children, and out of my pocket, I have donated a small amount of money to enable them to relocate immediately.

“If we don’t take this measure now, they will go to another place and create a nuisance,” Obuah said.

Malam Mohammed Musa, the chairman of the community, said that the area was occupied by about 1000 people, including women and children.

He confirmed that the occupants, who are predominantly dry-season farmers, had been there for about 27 years.

He acknowledged receiving notice of the demolition and thanked the government for allowing them to stay there for over 27 years, making a living in dry-season farming.

He, however, called on the FCT Administration to come to their aid.
He added that some of them were displaced from their home by bandits and other forms of insecurity.