By Bisola Adeyemo
The Federal Capital Territory Administration on Tuesday has demolished several illegal structures and shanties in Karu market and its environment.
Speaking while leading the operation on Tuesday, Ikharo Attah, the Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to the FCT Minister, said the market was badly “contaminated” with structures built illegally.
According to him, the rationale behind the exercise said they decided to remove shanties and roadside trading within and around the market, to free vehicular and human traffic in the area.
“It is very turbulent as people took half of the dual carriage road, to sell fresh fish, vegetables, and others. That’s what took us there, and we have done it very well.
“For about five years, this illegality started developing strongly, it has not tested our machines, so today it tasted the will of the FCT Minister to rid Abuja of illegality especially things that impede on the traffic-free flow that is why today we are happy that people are excited that the road is free now.
“We are hopeful that we keep coming and checking the situation here, trusting that the area council that owns the market, which has been very supportive of this clean up will do well in keeping it under control, and with the support of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) they will do all they can to ensure that traders go into the market and other designated areas like the informer section, and keep the place clean and away from the road.” Attah said.