The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has issued a one-week notice to squatters taking refuge under bridges in Garki, Wuse and Maitama districts in Abuja, to vacate or be forcefully removed.
Dr Fred Kpakol, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Environmental and Waste Management, gave the notice on Tuesday while sensitising the illegal squatters on government decision to clear the areas.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the sensitisation was led by the officials of Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB).
Kpakol explained that some of the areas taken over by the squatters were supposed to be green areas but turned into slums.
He said apart from carrying out nefarious activities in the city, the squatters were also in the habit of burning firewood in the night to light up the areas, cook and other practices that affect the lifespan of the bridges.
The official warned that after the expiration of the one-week notice, every tent under the bridges would be demolished.
“You are aware of the prevailing kidnappings and other atrocities people commit from different places and run to take refuge under the bridges. This is unacceptable.
“This is because the security of the city is very important. As such, anybody that comes here to stay must have to leave.
“We have given them one week, within which we will come and evacuate them from these places,” he said.
Also, Deputy Director, Monitoring and Enforcement, AEPB, Mr Kaka Bello, identified some of the affected bridges as the bridge close to Transcorp Hilton on Ademola Adetokumbo way, and the Park Way Bridge close to Wuse market.
Others, Bello said, include the bridge along Ahmadu Bello Way close to Diamond Bank Junction and the bridge along Muhammadu Buhari Way.
One of the squatters, Iya Gizo, a widow from Nasarawa State, said that she was living under the bridge because she had nowhere to go.
She appealed to the government to provide an alternative area for them to relocate to.
Also, Mr Emmanuel Abraham, an artisan operating under the bridge near City Park in Wuse II, appealed for government support to enable him find a suitable place to carry out his business.
