Insecurity : Dev’t Control Dislodges Scavengers Under Abuja Bridges

Following the excesses of the activities of Scavengers in the Federal Capital Territory, the Department of Development Control has dislodged scavengers hibernating under Abuja bridges to attack innocent residents.

Speaking to Journalists during the operation in Abuja, the Director Department of Development Control, Murktar Galadima, said the measures is targeted at sanitizing the territory to make it a safe space for all, where pocket pickers and bag snatchers would have no place to operate.

Galadima who was represented by the Deputy Director Monitoring and Enforcement of the Department, Mr Hassan Ogbole, said the Department was directed to clear the under bridges and subways with a view to preventing unwholesome, gruesome wicked acts of scavengers.

The clean up which started under the Abia House bridge Leading to the National Mosque axis, is expected to be carried out in about 10 bridges across the territory.

During the operation, sleeping mats, blankets, prefuse comprising empty plastic bottles, assorted wine bottles, cartons and cooking pots with food on fire were found in the scavengers den, as they fled the scene at the sight of the taskforce.

Responding to questions on sustainability, Galadima, explained that the scavengers would be profiled and taken to Wasa site layout marked for pantakers, while vacated space will be put to good use.

Galadima expressed dismay over the manner the bridges and the pillars had been darkened due to the fire works of the scavengers residing there, and assured that the location would be handed over to the Park operators to manage .

“So gone are those days when places recovered are not being put into use effectively. Some of these subways and under bridges were proposed subject to the Minister’s approval that they should be given to relevant agencies and individuals, parks and commercial outfits who will manage them”.

“So this is the purpose.They would be put into active use for sustainability. So it is left to those who will manage them to decide on what to do for a little token.
Especially for the subways which are commercially viable”.

“Some of the challenges we have discovered is that some of the pillars of the bridges have been exposed through the activities of scavengers and some due to ecological factors. This is a big discovery for everybody”.

“The call for these scavengers, it is a very serious issue, they are all over the city. The Wasa Layout has made provision for scavengers and pantakers, so we will organize them through the urban affairs to profile them and take them there to stay and not to be scattered over the city”,Galadima said.

On his part, the Secretary Command and Control Center, FCTA, Dr Peter Olumiji vowed that the FCTA would make Abuja under bridges unconducive and hot for all criminal elements in the territory.

Olumiji who noted that the security of lives and property of everyone in the FCT is of utmost importance to the FCT Administration, hinted that all Divisional Police stations have been informed and they have assured the Administration through the Commissioner of Police that all bridges will be kept secured.

“People are complaining of activities of criminal elements within and under these bridges and most times after robbing victims from top, they dash down to these bridges to hibernate. So we have decided to make under these bridges uncondusive and hot for these criminals and that’s why we are out to ensuring we clear these bridges effectively.

“It is not that we are displacing people but we are making use of it as economic viable locations and the DPOs have assured the Administration that they will give protection to everyone engaging in wholesome activities taking place here. ” Olumiji said.

By Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji