FCTA Demolishes 11 Duplexes In Abuja District

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Thursday demolished 11 duplexes illegally constructed under high-tension power lines and close to a stream channel in Dutse District of Abuja.

Director of the Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, who led the enforcement exercise, said the affected buildings were erected despite repeated warnings and the administration’s refusal to grant building approval due to safety and environmental risks.

“This is Garba Duba Street within the Dutse District of Abuja, Federal Capital City — that’s Phase Two of the city, not far from Cedarcrest and Amina Court.

“We’re here this morning to enforce our notices being served. They requested and applied for building plan approval, which we declined because the site is too close to a high-tension line and a stream channel. Despite that, they moved ahead with construction,” Galadima said.

The FCTA’s development control boss explained that the estate owners ignored multiple stop-work notices and formal letters issued at different stages of the construction, from excavation to completion.

“We have been serving notices even from the excavation stage. At various stages of development, we communicated to them in writing to stop work, but unfortunately, they ignored the directives. Perhaps because of their institution or agency, they felt they could continue,” he said

Galadima said the administration only intervened after receiving a letter from the engineering department, which revealed plans to construct a bridge across the same stream channel where the illegal structures were located.

He noted, “It was when the engineering department wrote to inform us that they wanted to construct a bridge on that section of the district that we discovered these illegal structures.”

The director clarified that while the demolished plots were statutory allocations, the affected developers could apply for relocation or alternative sites through proper administrative channels.

Galadima said, “Since this is a statutorily allocated plot, the FCT Administration can give them alternative sites. But they have not applied or intimated the administration of the need to be given alternative plots.”

He cautioned prospective developers in Abuja to always seek proper clarification and obtain building approvals before starting any project, emphasizing that violation of urban planning regulations would attract penalties.

“If you don’t respect the law, we will allow you to waste your money, and we’ll bring the building down. So long as you intend to develop in the FCT, once you are served a notice, please stop work and come for clarification. Don’t assume — ask whether to proceed or not,” Galadima warned.

He further disclosed that the FCTA was finalizing legal frameworks to surcharge offenders for demolition and site mobilization costs, in accordance with the provisions of the Urban and Regional Planning Law.

He further said, “We are now going to sit with the Legal Secretariat to start enforcing this aspect of the law. Whatever structure has been demolished, the offender will be made to pay. It’s time to make developers respect the law.”