Adedokun Waliyu 
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says it would start the demolition of illegal buildings within the Area 1 Shopping Complex on Monday, September 18.
This is as the FCTA said that all the attachment shops and other illegal constructions, and wrong parking which hitherto made that place impassable to traffic would be removed and the whole environment cleaned up.
This development was arrived at by authorities of the FCTA which comprises the Departments of Development Control, Security Service, the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, as well as the Abuja Investments Company Ltd, in a meeting with traders of the market.
The director of FCTA Development Control, Muktar Galadima made this known at the meeting with traders and owners of shops during the weekend.
Galadima told the traders that the current people-friendly FCT Administration decided to meet with managers of the market so as to reach an understanding before carrying out the demolition exercise.
According to him, the congested nature of the market, its unhygienic and untidy conditions were not good for any emergency and health.
He also said the security of lives and property is threatened.
Galadima said: “The way the market is very congested and unhygienic is not good for the safety and health of the traders and customers.”
He insisted that all the kilishi/suya sellers would be located under one roof, parking spaces inside the market would be removed and they should have one source of energy, instead of littering the market with generating sets, causing noise pollution.
He said: “God forbid, but imagine if there is any fire outbreak in this market, it will be disastrous, and rescue operations impossible. As a government, we do not have to wait for that to happen before we take action.
“Remember we were here last year to do some clean up, but this time, it is different. We are going to remove all the attachments, and create space inside the market for parking.
“We are not happy with the traffic situation caused by activities of this market so we will sanitize it in line with the vision of the Nyesom Wike-led FCT Administration in sanitizing the Federal Capital Territory.”
He called for the support of all stakeholders of the market, hinting that the Administration would make necessary arrangements to provide alternative shops for those who would be affected by the cleanup.
Speaking on behalf of the traders, Umar Uba thanked the FCT Administration for thinking it wise to meet and inform them of the plans to remove illegal structures in the market.
Umar pledged that they would assist the authorities in sanitizing the market since it was also for their good.
