FCTA Removes 11 Duplexes Built Under High Tension

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Thursday removed about 11 duplexes that were built under high tension and too close to stream channels.Director of the Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, who led the demolition exercise in Abuja, said the owner of the estate applied for building plan approval and they were declined because the fact that it’s in close proximity to high-tension line, as well as a stream channel but they went ahead with the building.He noted that the estate owners were served several notices to stop work, they even wrote some letters to them, which they ignored.He said, “This is Garba Duba Street that is within the Dutse District of Abuja, Federal Capital City.

That’s phase two of the Federal Capital City, not far away from popular Cedarcrest, as well as Amina Court. So, we’re here this morning to enforce our notices being served.”They requested for approval and applied for building plan approval, which we declined for the fact that it’s in close proximity to high-tension line, as well as a stream channel. So, we declined to grant approval, but they moved ahead to work.”We have been serving notices, even from the excavation stage. Various stages of development, we’ve been serving notices, we even communicated to them in writing that the work should be stopped. But unfortunately, maybe considering their institution and agency, they moved on”.It was when the engineering department wrote to us that they wanted to construct a bridge on that particular section of the District and they informed them that there is a proposed bridge that is going to be constructed over the stream channel.He continued, since it is a statutory allocation, the administration is ready to give them another allocation.”What we advise is that since this is a statutorily allocated plot, the FCT administration can give them alternative sites, being an important institution of the federal government.”The alternative has not been given because they have not applied, they have not intimated the FCT administration of the need to be given alternative plots”. .The Galadima therefore warned intending developers to first clarify and get building approval before taking off as well as anytime you are served a notice to stop work, you should comply.The Development control boss said, the administration has concluded an arrangement to start surcharging any offender, at least pay for mobilization to site.”If you don’t respect it, we’ll allow you to waste your money and we’ll bring it down. So long as you intend to develop in FCT, once you are served a notice, please and please stop.”Come for clarification whether to proceed or not to proceed.Not only to the agency, in fact, it is one of the important aspects of urban regional planning law that whatever structure has been demolished, it has to pay. So now we are going to sit down with the legal secretariat to see how we can start enforcing this aspect of the urban regional planning law”, he said.