AEPB Clears Shanties, Dislodges Occupants Under Bridges

As part of measures to rid the Federal Capital Territory of criminals most especially kidnappers, the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, AEPB has cleared shanties and dislodged scavengers and those hibernating under bridges in Area eleven, Wuse 2 and Maitama District of the FCT.

Addressing newsmen at the end of the exercise in Abuja, the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of FCT on Environment and Waste Management, Dr Fred Kpakol who gave AEPB the matching order to clear the bridges said the move was also part of strategies to restore the Abuja master plan.

Dr. Kpakol stated that the exercise would be a continuous one until the aim is achieved pointing out that necessary measures would be put in place to prevent the return of those living under the bridges.

“That mandate by the Minister of FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike to make Abuja clean and free of criminals as directed by President Bola Tinubu must be achieved hence the need for all hands to be on deck towards achieving it” he said.

According to him, the enforcement will be sustained to prevent anyone from taking over the bridges as a means of accomodation of any kind.

“By the time we keep the bridges under intensed check and sustained enforcement, nobody will any longer have access to stay under the bridges” Dr Kpakol explained.

The Senior Special Assistant who emphasized that most bridges in the city centre of the FCT are green areas added that the FCT Administration would not tolerate any unlawful behaviour detrimental to the development of the Territory.

On his part, the Deputy Director, Monitoring and Enforcement in Abuja Environmental Protection Board, AEPB, Kaka Bello who expressed concern over the situation advised those living under bridges in the FCT to desist from it to avoid been sanctioned.

While reiterating the commitment of AEPB towards ensuring an environmental friendly capital, Kaka Bello called for the support of all stakeholders in realizing the objectives of the Board.

“AEPB Act frown against this illegality and people should be law abiding and take advantage of designated areas to carry out their business activities because living and trading under bridges is illegal therefore residents should change their attitude by complying with necessary environmental sanitation rules and regulations towards making Abuja a befitting nation’s capital city worthy of emulation” he added.

Mathew Ayoola, Edited By Grace Namiji