The FCT Administration, on Thursday, removed 11 duplexes that were built under high tension and water channels in Garba Duba Street, Dutse District of the Federal Capital City, close to the popular Cedarcrest hospital.
The Director, Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, who led the demolition exercise, disclosed that the department had earlier declined the estate developer's application for a building plan because of its proximity to a high-tension line, as well as a stream channel.
Galadma added that the Department later learnt that the developer went ahead with the building, hence the need for the demolition of the illegal structures.
The demolition, he noted, is coming after the estate owners ignored the several notices to stop work that were served.
"This is Garba Duba Street, which is within the Dutse District of Abuja, Federal Capital City," he said.
"That's phase two of the Federal Capital City, not far away from popular Cedarcrest, as well as Amina Court.
"So, we're here this morning to enforce our notices being served.
"They requested approval and applied for building plan approval, which we declined since it's in proximity to a high-tension line, as well as a stream channel.
"So, we declined to approve, but they moved ahead to work.
"We have been serving notices, even from the excavation stage. In various stages of development, we've been serving notices, and we even communicated to them in writing that the work should be stopped.
"But unfortunately, maybe considering their institution and agency, they moved on."
Galadima therefore warned intending developers to first clarify and get building approval before taking off to avoid risking their structures being demolished during construction.
