16 hours ago
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ABUJA: The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has vowed to take decisive action against dubious individuals extorting traders under the guise of facilitating land allocation at Apo Mechanic Village.
He disclosed that fraudulent activities, including overcharging and enrolling ineligible traders, have marred the ongoing relocation exercise to Wasa District.
Speaking through the Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Chief Felix Obuah, the minister revealed that some unscrupulous union leaders collected as much as ₦600,000 to ₦1,000,000 per trader, far exceeding the approved ₦300,000 non-refundable fee.
“Over 11,000 people have registered and paid the approved ₦300,000 fee. However, some individuals have taken advantage of the process, demanding exorbitant sums from unsuspecting traders. This will not be tolerated. Anyone found guilty of such acts will be handed over to security agencies,” he warned.
The minister highlighted challenges faced during the exercise, including the submission of inflated lists by various unions. “Initially, 45,000 names were submitted, but physical enumeration exposed many as fraudulent claims. This exercise is strictly for traders operating along the road corridors and buffer zones of Apo Mechanic Village, not for opportunists looking to exploit the process,” he emphasized.
The minister assured traders of a fair and transparent process, adding that the names of allottees will be published for public scrutiny. He debunked rumors that allocations had been secretly given to government officials and their associates.
“Every trader who meets the criteria will be duly allocated a shop. We have taken steps to involve stakeholders in every stage of the process to ensure accountability. No allocation has been made to any government official or private interest,” he stated.
The relocation exercise, which has faced setbacks for over 25 years, is expected to be concluded by the end of the month. He stressed that the administration is committed to resolving the issue within its tenure, providing traders with a conducive environment to carry out their businesses.
The meeting to update traders also addressed the design and site plans for the relocation. The FCT Administration reiterated its commitment to creating a fair process that prioritizes genuine traders affected by the road expansion project.
“Rumors and doubts have created tension, but we are here to make the process transparent. The government is working in the interest of the people, and we are confident that this initiative will bring lasting relief to those impacted,” he concluded.
