FCTA issues ultimatum to illegal Apo mechanics
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued a 7-day ultimatum to owners of mechanic workshops, automobile dealers and other occupants, who illegally carry out various trades along the Apo Road corridor to vacate the area.
According to the Chairman of the just constituted FCT Ministerial Task Force on City Sanitation, Ikharo Attah, the decision is as a result of the continued defacing of the environment along the road corridor.
Addressing some business owners affected by the order, Attah noted that the seven -day ultimatum was to demonstrate the administration’s empathy for and to ensure that actions capable of causing colossal damages were avoided.
He revealed that the minister while on an unscheduled visit to the site of various infrastructural projects along the road axis recently, strongly frowned at the defacing of the environment as well as the obstruction of ongoing construction work caused by some illegal occupants.
He however, disclosed that the first phase of the sanitation exercise, billed to commence on Monday next week after the ultimatum, will reclaim all the spots from Apo Round-about to the popular junction known as Apo NEPA Junction, while the second phase of the aggressive sanitation will begin from the NEPA Junction to APO Mechanic Village.
“This stakeholders meeting was to enable us interface with stakeholders who engage in one form of business or the other along the Apo Road corridor.
“The minister has given us a directive to reclaim all the road corridor, to allow contractors complete their jobs, and also allow the Abuja Environmental Protection Board officers beautify the place in accordance with the Abuja master plan.
“We’ve 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 the ongoing projects there as a legacy he would leave behind for the residents of the nation’s capital,” Attah said.
Also speaking, Director AEPB, Baba Shehu Lawan, noted that the minister had selected seasoned professionals who form an effective squad for the exercise.
Lawan also warned that at the expiration of the ultimatum, the task force would move to the area, and whoever refuses to vacate the place should not blame the administration.
He added that abandoned vehicles, furniture and every other thing left on the road corridor will be removed and seized.
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