FCTA To Convert Reclaimed Spaces To Recreation Centers

By Remi Johnson

To curb insecurity being perpetrated by illegal occupants around the Neighborhood Area, plans are under way by the FCT Administration to recover and convert some of the open spaces to Parks and Recreation Centers.

Director Development Control Department, Mukhtar Galadima made this known in Katampe extension, during a city sanitation enforcement in Abuja, said some shanties are directly under high-tension-wire that is harzadious to health.

He explained that most of the open spaces occupied by the hoodlums and other criminal elements also poses security threat to the residents, hence the need to guard against the ugly trend.

Galadima, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Monitoring and Enforcement of the department, Hassan Ogbole, said the illegal occupants constantly returned to the area after every enforcement.

“We have done this in several locations and we are here in Katampe extension. This is a high tension line where any kind of activity is not supposed to be going on around it. but unfortunately, this is the fourth time the task team will be here…but we are investigating thoroughly to bring those involved to law.

“We will keep doing this. We can’t leave an ungoverned space and that’s why we are working on governance now. We are working in partnership with the residents association of Katampe Extension as well as Parks and Recreation Department. Sooner or later we will get them to take proper occupation of this place so that these people will not come back.”

The Assistant Director in charge of Maintenance, Parks and Recreational Department, Isa Abdulmalik, noted that the measure would be replicated in Kabusa, Gaduwa, Guzape, Apo Dutse, and others.

“We are going to fence this place, put a recreational facility which will be between us and the residents here to serve as a neighborhood park, so that the people here can make use of the facility.With this, I think we will curb most of the illegal activities and the taking over of this place by hoodlums in the past. So I believe when we do that the neighborhood and the people around will enjoy the facility”.

Earlier, the Secretary of FCTA Command and Control Centre, Dr. Peter Olumuji, had explained that residents of Katampe extension had complained of security threats due to the influx of criminal elements in the area.

Edited By Grace Namiji