FCTA To Sanitize Apo Mechanics Village
By: Gabriel Obiahu
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), will look into all challenges bedeviling the Apo Mechanics Village by bringing sanity to the area in tune with the Abuja Master Plan.
The Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, Mr. Felix Amechi Obuah, gave this assurance when he paid a working visit to the area.
His words: “The government will partner with the management of the estate to restore sanity in the area.”
The Coordinator threatened that all illegal structures in the area will be demolished to give way to the planned development.
The Coordinator who was conducted round the estate by the Chairman, Apo Mechanics and Auto Spare Parts Dealers Association, and Amalgamated Union of Motor Mechanics and Technicians of Nigeria, Chief Michael Ndubuisi warned that any private structure found on lands meant for facilities such as school, hospital, shopping center, recreation center, public toilet, green area etc within the estate will also be demolished.
Obuah reminded the allottees that what was given by the FCT Administration was letters of Intent for the allocations in Apo Mechanic Estate and can be withdrawn, if abused.
He added that structures on plots acquired illegally will also not be speared.
Obuah, however, revealed that those who have built in line with government directives as contained in physical development plan will be rewarded, as AMMC has concluded plans to give them Lease Agreement Papers.
A committee, the Coordinator said will be set up to that effect.
He also said that government is interested in developing the informal sector and AMMC will work hard to ensure that members of the Association, who do their businesses along the Apo road sides are relocated to Wasa area, which has been set aside for such purpose.
The Coordinator commended the Association and for devoting its time and resources to train well over 20,000 artisans, who are waiting to be engaged for service delivery.
Obuah noted that government will support any effort aimed at reducing unemployment, and appealed to members of the Association to complement government efforts by ensuring that they pay their rent and taxes; warning those in habit of buying stolen items to desist from such, especially material from vandalized government facilities.
Earlier, the Chairman of the estate, Chief Michael Ndubuisi enumerated some other challenges confronting the estate such as electricity, portable water, and roads, which the Coordinator had promised to present before the FCT Minister.
