AEPB Demolishes Shanties In COVID Market, Others 

By Mathew Ayoola

In continuation of efforts towards ensuring a clean and healthy capital city, the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, AEPB has demolished shanties and hideouts of criminals in the COVID Market in Area Eleven and food vendor joints popularly called “Mama Put” under bridges close to the Federal Secretariat.

Speaking during the exercise in Abuja, the Director of AEPB, Mr Osilama Braimah said the move became necessary towards ensuring a befitting nation’s capital.

Mr Osilama Braimah who stated that AEPB would not relent in ensuring that Abuja regained its master plan through a tidy environment warned residents most especially traders and hawkers against violating environmental rules and regulations in the FCT.

According to him, some of the areas were cleared two months ago, and was surprised that the affected traders returned to the same spot.

He explained that the bridge area is a road corridor and not meant for trading activities.

Mr Braimah added that the exercise would be a continuous one until AEPB achieved its goal of maintaining a good environment in line with the Abuja master plan.

The Director AEPB stressed the need for traders to always make use of designated areas in carrying out their activities to avoid being sanctioned.

On the demolition of the COVID market, the Deputy Director of Monitoring and Inspection in AEPB, Mr. Kaka Bello said the market would finally be demolished next Saturday after giving the traders two months’ notice.

Mr Kaka Bello therefore advised the traders to as a matter of urgency vacate the area as the market was established during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Deputy Director who stated that the market is sitting on a rail line corridor expressed concern over a series of illegal activities being carried out around the market which he noted poses a security threat to the FCT.

Edited By Grace Namiji