AfriPulse
October 16, 2025 October 16, 2025
By Daniel Tyokua
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has demolished 11 duplexes in Apo-Dutse, Dutse District in Abuja, for building under high-tension lines and on water channels.
The Director of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, led the demolition exercise, citing the owners’ failure to heed multiple notices to stop construction despite having their building plans rejected.
Galadima explained that the owners had applied for approval, which was declined due to the proximity to high-tension lines and water channels.
However, they proceeded with construction, prompting the FCTA to take action. The administration has warned developers to comply with regulations and obtain necessary approvals before starting projects.
The FCTA also announced plans to surcharge offenders and recover costs incurred during demolitions, as per urban planning laws. Galadima emphasized the importance of adhering to regulations to avoid unnecessary losses.
Galadima said, “They requested for approval and applied for building plan which we declined for the fact that it’s in close proximity to high-tension line, as well as a stream channel. So, we declined to grant approval, but they moved ahead to work.
“We have been serving notices, even from the excavation stage. Various stages of development, we’ve been serving notices, we even communicated to them in writing that the work should be stopped. But unfortunately, maybe considering their institution and agency, they moved on”.
“t was when the engineering department wrote to us that
wanted to construct a bridge on that particular section of the District and they informed them that there is a proposed bridge that is going to be constructed over the stream channel.
He continued, “since it is a statutory allocation, the administration is ready to give them another allocation.
“What we advise is that since this is a statutorily allocated plot, the FCT administration can give them alternative sites, being an important institution of the federal government”.
Source: Authorityngr.com | Read the Full Story…
