Index to Nigerian Newspapers

The Federal Government may demolish no fewer than 30 illegal settlements and slums and over 6,000 illegal buildings in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as part of measures to restore the nation’s capital’s master plan. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who dropped the hint on resuming office on Monday, said all illegal buildings distorting the Abuja master plan would be pulled down. Wike vowed to flatten all illegal buildings even if they belonged to a minister or an ambassador. Findings by The PUNCH indicate that the slums that might be affected by the urban renewal programme would include Apo Mechanic Village, Byanzhin, Dawaki, Dei Dei, Durumi, Dutse, Garki, Garki Village, Gishiri, Gwagwalape, Idu, Jabi, Kado Village, Karmo, Karshi, Karu, Katampe, Ketti Village, Kpaduma, Kabusa, Kpana Village, Kubwa, Lokogoma, Lugbe, Mabushi, Mpape, Nyanya and Piya Kasa. Also, those who acquired lands from Abuja indigenes may lose their investments as they were regarded by the FCT Administration as illegal. Checks indicate that the 6,000 structures that may be affected by the restoration plans included buildings that have been abandoned for a long time in violation of the building code.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has promised to begin the inspection and assessment of all federal roads in two weeks. He stated this on Monday while speaking during a press conference at the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja, after the swearing-in ceremony of 45 ministers. According to him, under his leadership, bureaucratic processes will be a thing of the past, as no file will be expected to be left unattended for more than two hours without genuine explanations. He also emphasised that due to his background, he considered himself a field-oriented individual rather than an office-bound one. He added that the ministry’s team of experts would embark on tours across the six geopolitical zones of the nation to assess the condition of road infrastructures and strategise methods to enhance the well-being of Nigerians.