Tears As FCTA Pulls Down 500 Houses In Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Monday pulled down about 500 illegal structures including religious centres and warehouses in Zaudna Village Jiwa.

This is a continuation of last Friday's demolition exercise in which several families were rendered homeless.

According to the administration, the exercise was to pave way for the takeoff of the FCT land swap programme that would enable investors to provide infrastructure in the area.

The Director, Department of Development Control, Muktar Galadima explained that the demolition exercise was halted mid-midway on Friday to enable the residents who had lamented short notices to remove their valuables.

He also noted that the administration will only pay compensation to deserving indigenous people, adding that the administration's policy does not cover non-indigenes who bought land from locals.

Also, the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Monitoring Inspection and Enforcement, Ikharo Attah said the demolition exercise was part of its activities to clear the encroachment on the land swap infrastructure model.