The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced a one-week eviction notice to numerous squatters residing under bridges in the districts of Garki, Wuse II, Maitama, and Wuse in Abuja, warning them to vacate to avoid legal consequences.
The FCTA highlighted that these areas, intended to be verdant landscapes, are devolving into shantytowns that harbor illegal activities. Dr. Fred Kpakol, the Senior Special Assistant on Environmental and Waste Management to the FCT Minister, expressed concerns over the unsightly and hazardous conditions under these bridges, including the risk of structural damage from activities like firewood burning.
During a sensitization campaign by the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Dr. Kpakol emphasized the health and security risks to squatters, including disease and the potential for criminal refuge, and announced plans for a cleanup operation after the notice period.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to urban cleanliness and security under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and FCT Minister Barrister Nyesom Wike, Dr. Kpakol issued a stern warning to those using the underpasses as shelters to depart or face enforcement actions. The government aims to address the issue of slums as part of efforts to enhance the city’s image.
Acknowledging the humanitarian aspect, the administration has engaged in preliminary dialogues with the squatters, stressing the life-threatening risks of their situation and encouraging them to seek assistance from relevant agencies, although it also noted the limits of government support.
Kaka Bello, Deputy Director of Monitoring and Enforcement at the AEPB, outlined the enforcement strategy targeting several bridges known for squatting and called for compliance ahead of the operation.
Affected individuals, including a widow from Nasarawa State and an artisan from Wuse II, voiced their plight and the economic desperation driving their occupancy under the bridges, appealing for government assistance in finding alternative locations for their livelihoods amidst concerns over the impact of the eviction on their vulnerability to economic and security challenges.