FCT Minister says no going back on Apo-Dutse Pantaker Market demolition
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, says there is no going back on the planned demolition of the Apo-Dutse Pantaker market.
Bello made the statement on Friday at an interactive meeting with stakeholders of the Pantaker Market, at the FCT Administration secretariat, in Abuja.
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Represented by Mr Ikharo Attah, his Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, the minister stated that he had issued a marching order to the effect.
He noted that the operators of the Pantaker Market admitted that the place was riddled with several challenges, but pleaded for enough time to enable them to remove all their property.
According to him, the administration had decided to extend the ultimatum earlier issued to the marketers by one week due to Ramadan.
“The FCT Administration has given a marching order to clear the place because criminals are largely hibernating there, even then the people have admitted that the criminals have stolen some electrical installations there.
“We have warned and given them ultimatum before, but they pleaded that their Pantaker is not like the other ones, but the biggest in the country.
“They said that parking their things will take almost one month. We reviewed it because of the Ramadan and agreed on one week after the Sallah to vacate the place,” he added.
Responding, one of the leaders, Ambusa Umar, said the operators had consented to the decision of the administration, but pleaded for two weeks, instead of one.
Umar noted that the operators were law-abiding citizens, working to make a living and also contributed to the country’s economic growth.
He equally acknowledged that the place had security challenges, but urged the administration to consider their request.
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