The Department of Development Control in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued a quit notice to the ‘Ya Kasuwa’ market along the N16 road corridor in Gwarinpa, Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city. The traders are instructed to vacate the area by Wednesday, as clearance operations are set to commence on Thursday.
Mukhtar Galadima, the director of the department, delivered the order during a meeting with stakeholders, including representatives of the traders’ union. He emphasised that the contract for the full development of the arterial road had been awarded, and the traders had been engaged since September. However, their continued request for more time has led to the decision to enforce the quit notice.
Galadima expressed concern that the delay caused by the traders’ refusal to vacate could lead to rising material costs and potential demands for contract variation, contrary to the current administration’s policy.
He stated, “We are coming to clear the place. We are giving you up till Wednesday to clear your things. By Thursday, we are going to start.”
Galadima also addressed the issue of a new market site, indicating that it falls under the jurisdiction of the local councils to allocate new spaces for the affected traders.
The secretary of the traders’ union, Mohammed, acknowledged the government’s message and mentioned that they have operated in the market for over 20 years. He assured them that they would convey the government’s directive to the traders and work on relocating within the given timeframe.
In a related development, the department demolished a structure within an estate in the Karmo district, citing obstruction of a flood plain as the reason for the action.