The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has revealed its intention to demolish the “Yar Kasuwa” market in Gwarinpa due to its unlawful operation. Mr. Mukhtar Galadima, the Director of the FCTA’s Department of Development Control, made this announcement during a meeting with stakeholders in Abuja on Sunday.
During the meeting, Mr. Galadima communicated that the department had issued a notice to the traders to vacate the area by January 7, with the demolition scheduled to commence on January 8. The market, situated along the Number 16 Road corridor, is hindering the full development of the arterial road, for which a construction contract has already been awarded by the FCT Administration.
Despite ongoing engagement with the traders by the contractors since September 2023, the traders’ persistent requests for more time have led to delays in the project’s delivery. Mr. Galadima emphasized that these delays could result in increased material costs and potential contract variations, which contradict the current Administration’s policies.
Addressing the resistance from the traders, Mr. Galadima clarified that the meeting’s purpose was to ensure full awareness of the situation and reiterated the imminent need for the traders occupying the Number 16 Road corridor to vacate the area by Wednesday to facilitate the demolition starting on Thursday (January 8).
This decision, although met with resistance from the traders claiming incomplete briefing from previous notices, is crucial to uphold the project timeline and adhere to the Administration’s policies.
