The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued seven days ultimatum to owners of mechanic workshops, automobile dealers and other traders along the Apo road corridor to vacate the areas.
Mr Ikharo Attah, the Chairman of the newly constituted FCT Ministerial Task Force on City Sanitation, issued the notice while briefing groups of business owners affected by the order at a stakeholder meeting on Monday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholders meeting was organised by the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB).
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Attah explained that the ultimatum was to demonstrate the administration’s empathy and ensure that actions capable of causing colossal damage were avoided.
He said the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, who expressed displeasure over the continued defacing of the environment along that corridor, ordered that the area’s Master Plan be restored immediately.
He said that the minister, who recently paid an unscheduled visit to the site of various infrastructural projects along the axis, expressed displeasure over the manner in which some of the illegal occupants were obstructing ongoing construction work as well as defacing the environment.
Attah disclosed that the first phase of the sanitation would begin on Monday (June 8, 2020) after the expiration of the ultimatum.
He said the FCTA would reclaim all the spots from Apo round-about to the popular junction known as Apo NEPA junction.
Similarly, Attah said the second phase of the aggressive sanitation would begin from the NEPA junction to APO mechanic village, where illegal businesses had taken over great portions of the road, making it difficult for contractors to complete their work.
“This stakeholders meeting is to enable us to interface with stakeholders who engage in one form of business or the other along the Apo road corridors, also known as Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX).
“The minister has given us a directive to reclaim all the road corridors, to allow contractors complete their jobs, and also allow the Abuja Environmental Protection Board officers beautify the place in accordance with Abuja master plan.
“We have given the affected people seven days ultimatum because we want to put up a human face in carrying out the exercise.
“The minister had wanted us to start immediately due to his desire to complete all ongoing projects there as a legacy he will leave behind for residents of the nation’s capital,” he said.
The Director AEPB, Mr Baba Lawan, disclosed that the minister had selected seasoned professionals who formed an effective squad for the exercise.
Lawan warned that at the expiration of the ultimatum, the task force would move to the area, and whoever refused to vacate the place should not blame the administration.
He added that abandoned vehicles, furniture and every other thing left on the road corridors would be removed and seized.