Officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Monday demolished illegal structures on land belonging to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and earmarked for other infrastructure development in the Lugbe area of Abuja.

Addressing newsmen after the exercise, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, the Director of the Department of Development Control, FCTA, explained that the area, popularly known as Timber Shield Market, Lugbe, was not approved for the construction of the demolished structures.

Galadima added that the area, located under a high-tension line, was illegally occupied by timber dealers, scavengers, and other sellers of low-value items.

He said that TCN had already awarded the contract for the energisation of the power line, adding that the illegal structures must be removed before the commencement of the work.

He further explained that the area was a corridor of the Ring Road III, which connects Gwarimpa and the Public Service Institute along Onex as well as linking Siraji to the Apo Mechanic area.

According to him, the operation is an ongoing exercise to clean up Abuja City by removing all illegal structures, wherever they exist.

He noted that prior to the demolition exercise, several notices were served on the illegal occupiers followed by meetings with the traders and some key stakeholders.

“Prior to the operation, we had invited all the traders and stakeholders for a meeting, and we briefed them of our intention. They were given enough time to relocate so that the work will commence about two months ago. We are going to sustain it; nobody will be allowed to return to the area,” NAN quoted him as saying.