By SALISU SANI-IDRIS

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has assured that the planned removal of shops attachments at Karu village in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) will not affect indigenous houses.

Mr Ikharo Attah, the Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, gave the assurance at a meeting with the leadership of Karu Gbagyi Development Association Abuja on Friday.

Attah explained that the objective of the planned demolition was to shift some shops attachments and other illegal structures under electric high tension and close to road shoulder a bit backward.

The minister’s aide said that the FCT Administration was a partner with the indigenous people and communities, adding that the administration was grateful with the cooperation and support of the indigenous community.

“We are grateful that all indigenous communities have given us enough cooperation to build this city and we must be internally grateful.

“We are not mindful of the fact that we should treat the indigenes very special not because other Nigerians are not special but because of the fact that we met indigenes at the point of exist from Lagos to Abuja.

“This made them very special privileged among the leagues of other ethnic nationalities and communities within the FCT.

“What we have discussed over the issue and further engagement to go and check will be carried out. I want to assure the chief that we will not go for the operation until we have concluded all engagements.

“Indigenous houses will not be affected; you can go to sleep with that. What we want to do is to shift the shops attachment and others a little backward,” he said.

Attah, therefore, solicited the cooperation of all stakeholders to ensure that the operation was carried out successfully.

Earlier, Chief Yunana Bawa, the Sarkin Yaki (Bhazhe) Karu Abuja, commended the FCTA for initiating the idea to sanitise the area of illegal shops and attachments.

“We are very happy the way you have accepted and cooperated with us that we have some basic places that must go and there are other ancestor’s places that we will look all at together.

“So that our own side will not be hurt and nobody will be hurt.

“So I want to say well done for the exercise. We have been hearing about flood and if not with the help of the FCTA, as human being sometimes we are very stubborn.

“What the administration will do will help us and save our lives because some people will go and build by the rivers side and block the water side.

“When rain falls it will be a disaster. So I want to also commend the government for initiating the demolition so that people will be put in their toes to avoid infractions.”

Also, the Chairman, Gbagyi Development Association Abuja, Mr Dangana Jimiko, said the recent removal of attachments and illegal structures at Karu market “is a blessing to us because we have been battling with those structures for more than three years.”

“As you, know the market people need force and the sanity of that place now has really helped us.” (NAN)

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