By Olawumi Oyehan
Worried by the level of encroachment of illegal shanties, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, directed the immediate demolition of about 30 buildings encroaching on the Right of Way along the Ring Road 3 corridor linking Karsana District, Gwarinpa District and Kubwa axis of Abuja.
Wike gave the directive during an on-the-spot inspection tour to assess the progress of ongoing road infrastructure projects across Abuja.
This followed a briefing by the Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr Richard Dauda, who alerted the Minister to the presence of illegal structures standing directly on the path of the project.
Detailing the technical progress at the site, Dauda explained that foundational work on the second bridge along the route was proceeding smoothly despite terrain challenges.
”Here is rocky; there’s no piling, so they’ve already started the foundation. It won’t delay. So, bridge works will continue. This is Karsana District now, with all the estates.
”To this side is Kubwa Road—the Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX)—and this is now the corridor of Ring Road 3 up to Airport Road. It’s where the flyover here will terminate, and then Ring Road 3, when it comes, will continue this way,” he said.
Dauda disclosed that about 30 buildings had encroached on the master plan layout designated for the infrastructure corridor.
Visibly displeased by the development, Wike immediately summoned officials from the Department of Development Control (DDC) to take swift action.
”We’ll have to demolish this right now demolish the building down. How can it be like this? It’s even a road, it’s not even a layout—it’s an interchange, the leg,” Wike stated.
The Minister reiterated that no private structure or illegal development would be allowed to obstruct critical public infrastructure or distort the Abuja Master Plan.