The Managing Director, Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Senator Gbenga Ashafa, has warned land grabbers and encroachers on its lands to prepare for a showdown.

Senator Ashafa handed down the warning recently while on inspection of Federal Housing Authority (FHA Estate), Extension Site in Lugbe, Abuja, along with the Minster of State, Works and Housing, Alhaji Umar El-Yakubu.

The FHA Managing Director said the 190 hectares of land had been reduced to 160 hectares by encroachers, saying the community would be compensated as at when due before final evacuation.

He promised to ensure that the Lugbe extension of FHA estate becomes realistic, stressing the need to check continuous encroachment.

Senator Ashafa maintained that the FHA was in synergy with the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to discourage continuous encroachment by illegal and unlawful occupants on its land who have taken advantage of the situations.

The Minister, Alhaji Umar El-Yakubu, expressed dissatisfaction with the presence of both temporary and make-shift buildings around the new extension, saying all hands must be on deck to discourage further encroachment.

He commended Senator Ashafa on the ongoing enumeration of both legal and illegal occupants in the new extension.

He expressed reservations on the lack of utilisation of lands allocated , saying the present administration was ever ready to open up the hinterland in line with its concepts of providing housing for all.

The Minister urged residents not to take laws into their hands, saying the FHA would embark on massive demolition in the area, advising the public to stay clear of government properties.

El-Yakubu also warned those planning to erect illegal structures to desist henceforth, saying any unlawful developer would not be compensated by the government.

By the Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements, according to the Project Manager, Okpanachi Peter, work would begin on the site before the year runs out, to discourage illegal occupants.