The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has demolished 11 duplexes illegally built under high-tension power lines and close to a stream in the Dutse District of Abuja.
Director of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, who led the operation on Thursday, said the buildings were constructed despite repeated warnings and the denial of building approval due to serious safety and environmental risks.
“The developers applied for approval, which we declined because the site lies under a high-tension line and too close to a stream channel. Despite this, they continued construction,” Galadima said.
He explained that the developers ignored multiple stop-work notices issued at various construction stages, from excavation to completion. The illegal development was later flagged when the FCTA’s engineering department began plans to construct a bridge in the same area.
Galadima noted that while the plots were statutorily allocated, the affected owners failed to apply for relocation or alternative sites. He advised property developers to always verify land status and obtain approval before building.
“If you don’t respect the law, you’ll lose your investment. Once served a notice, stop work and seek clarification,” he warned.
The director added that the FCTA is preparing new legal measures to compel violators to bear the cost of demolition and site restoration, in line with the Urban and Regional Planning Law.
