FCTA demolishes four brothels, shops in Jabi

Several commercial sex workers and shop owners were stranded as the Federal Capital Territory Administration demolished four brothels and shops at a notorious area of Jabi, Abuja, on Thursday.

The buildings, which were said to have no approval were pulled down by bulldozers accompanied by officials of the Development Control Department of the FCT Administration and armed policemen.

ABOKIFX GIVES YOU FOREX EXCHANGE RATE TODAY

In addition, the owners and occupants of the structures were accused of ignoring several demolition notices asking them to vacate the buildings. However, the residents claimed they were not given adequate notice before the demolition exercise.

A resident, Joseph Ola said, “They didn’t give us notice, they demolished our houses, and I don’t know why our political leaders are not here.”

A food seller identified as Mrs Godwin, stated, “They (FCT officials) informed us that they would come but nobody believed. They were supposed to carry out the demolition on Wednesday but we did not see them. I pity the shop owners and the sex hawkers because this exercise will affect them terribly.”

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, Chibok schools write WAEC exams after six years

The Director of Development Control Department, Muktar Galadinma, while addressing journalists, said the Administration had held meetings with the residents and marked the affected structures before the exercise.

“My advice is that they should not build any commercial structure along this corridor because this is supposed to be an indigenous community but the proliferation of commercial activities are attracting men of the underworld and even making the environment dirty,” he noted.

FOR DOLLAR TO NAIRA EXCHANGE RATES, VISIT ABOKIFX

In addition, the FCT Director of Security, Adamu Gwary also said the proliferation of shanties in the community had made it a haven for criminals, hence the demolition.

Gwary stated, “The demolition would have been done during the first term of Muhammad Bello (FCT Minister) but due to so many considerations, we stepped some of these things down. But something has to be done and this is in the interest of the general public.”

The Chairman, FCT Task Team on City Sanitation, Ikharo Attah, stated that the brothels were removed at the instance of the natives “whose buildings were not demolished.”

FOR MORE BUSINESS NEWS, DOLLAR TO NAIRA EXCHANGE RATES, VISIT ABOKIFX