The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello has revealed that the removal of illegal structures and settlements within the city was for both security and maintaining the sanctity of the Abuja Masterplan.
Bello made this declaration in his 2023 New Year message for the residents of Abuja, while also calling on them to support the effort as it was a continuous exercise.
”It must be understood that these corrective measures are absolutely essential if truly our city is to evolve into one of the most aesthetically pleasing and functional cities in the world.
”The presence of illegal settlements and shanties will only draw us further away from attaining this goal.
”Fellow residents, we are confronted daily with the unwholesome and unpatriotic activities of vandals who wantonly destroy or steal public infrastructure installed by government at great cost.
”Replacing or repairing these critical infrastructure cost a lot of money which otherwise would have been invested in other equally essential projects.”
Bello, therefore, enjoined residents to treat critical public infrastructure as they would treat their personal property and help to protect all public assets located within their vicinity.
He commended the security agencies in the FCT for their tremendous work in ensuring the safety of lives and property within the territory as the incidences of violent crimes had declined over the past few months.
” Some of these gallant men and women who have seen to this possibility have even paid the ultimate price in the course of discharging their responsibilities.
” I wish to reassure them of the continuous support of the Administration as demonstrated with the provision of 60 high-capacity vehicles in addition to accompanying security and communication equipment last year.
” We will continue to support them in every way possible and also enjoin the citizenry to cooperate with our law enforcement agencies whenever the need arises.”
He reminded the residents that the maintenance of security was the responsibility of all and reiterated the mantra of ‘saying something when you see something’.
Bello said that the FCT Administration was committed to sustaining the growth and development of the territory despite the challenges of dwindling financial resources and the ever increasing population.
