FCTA Demolishes Over 1,000 Illegal Shanties Along Karsana Road Corridor in Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced the demolition of more than 1,000 illegal shanties along the Karsana road corridor in Abuja as part of its ongoing efforts to restore order to the city’s urban planning system. The exercise, which began earlier this week, is being carried out under the directive of the Department of Development Control.
Why the Demolition Took Place
According to the FCTA, the structures were constructed without authorisation and posed both security and environmental risks. Officials stated that the shanties had become a breeding ground for criminal activities, obstructed planned road alignments, and undermined Abuja’s broader urban development framework.
The Director of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, emphasised that the operation is not targeted at individuals but is part of a wider city sanitation campaign designed to uphold the Abuja Master Plan. He noted that several warnings and notices had been issued prior to the enforcement exercise.
Impact on Residents and the Corridor
The demolition has displaced a significant number of residents who had been occupying the corridor. While some affected occupants raised concerns about the timing and the humanitarian impact of the exercise, officials reiterated that the illegal developments contravened land-use regulations.
The corridor in question is a key route earmarked for infrastructure expansion. Authorities argue that the clearance will pave the way for road construction, improve traffic flow, and enhance the long-term value of the area for investors and developers.
Broader Urban Planning Context
The FCTA has in recent years intensified efforts to address the proliferation of unapproved settlements within the capital. Analysts note that while such exercises are often controversial due to their social implications, they are viewed as necessary to safeguard the integrity of the Abuja Master Plan and attract sustainable investment.
Urban planning experts also highlight that consistent enforcement signals regulatory certainty, which is critical for real estate investors and developers evaluating projects in the FCT. However, they stress the need for the administration to complement demolition exercises with affordable housing initiatives to address the city’s growing population pressures.
Looking Ahead
The clearance of the Karsana corridor underscores Abuja’s dual challenge of balancing urban order with social inclusion. For policymakers and investors, the exercise is a reminder that compliance with development control regulations remains central to real estate value creation in the capital. How the FCTA manages resettlement and infrastructure rollout in the coming months will be closely watched by stakeholders across Nigeria’s housing and urban development sector.
