FCTA bans scavengers from operating within Abuja city center

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced a ban on scavengers operating within Abuja city center.

This directive, aimed at enhancing security and maintaining environmental cleanliness, was disclosed by the Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Olatunji Disu, during a press briefing following the FCT Security Committee Meeting on Monday.

As per the new policy, scavengers, commonly referred to as “baban bola”, are now restricted to designated dumpsites located in suburban areas and the outskirts of the city.

The move comes amidst growing concerns over the security risks associated with scavenging activities, which officials claim have been linked to criminal activities and public safety hazards.

The FCTA emphasized its commitment to ensuring a cleaner, safer Abuja and warned that violators of the new directive would face strict enforcement measures. Authorities have called on residents to support the initiative by reporting any scavenging activities observed within the city.

“All security agencies have been tasked with ensuring that this order is enforced, beginning from January 14,” he said.

The commissioner added that the committee also banned the operation of ‘pantaker’ markets for two weeks, beginning from Tuesday across the FCT.

Pantaker is a market for the sale of fairly used items and scrap iron, including furniture and home appliances.

He explained that the two weeks suspension was to allow security agencies to profile the pantaker operators.

This, he said, would ensure that only legitimate operators operate in Pantakers across the FCT.

He said that the committee had concluded that everybody arrested for vandalising public infrastructure would be charged to court and tried for economic sabotage and if possible, attempted murder.

He noted that because the punishment for such offences was usually community service or a fine, the offenders returned to commit more crimes.

“The punishment given to them is so menial that we notice that we are recycling these criminals.

“The activities of the vandals are enough to kill residents of the FCT because when they remove manhole covers on the road, it can cause the death of people driving at night,” Mr Disu said.

According to him, anybody vandalising public infrastructure is vitalising the joint property of all residents of the FCT.

“Numbers have been given out; if you see anything, say something.

“Let’s join hands to ensure that we protect all government infrastructures.”

 

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