By Ben Adoga
Due to the prevailing insecurity of which the FCT is not spared, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammad Musa Bello has engaged stakeholders in suspected criminal hideouts, especially operators of Panteka market in Apo – the Dutse area of Abuja.
The Minister who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection, and Enforcement, Ikharo Attah assured that there was no going back in removing shanties and the entire scrap market, popularly known as Panenka in Apo – the Dutse area as it constituted grave security risk to FCT residents.
He said the ultimatum earlier given to the residents was extended for one week to enable them to celebrate Ramadan or Eid – El – Fitr.
Insisting that the place harbors suspected criminal elements, the Minister said the ultimatum given to them, can only be extended by one week from today ( Friday).
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Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection, and Enforcement to FCT Minister, Ikharo Attah who engaged the stakeholders on behalf of the minister insisted that the Pantaker market be removed as quickly as possible for the safety of residents.
He noted that Operators of the Pantaker market admitted that the place harbored criminal elements and was riddled with several challenges, but pleaded for enough time to enable them to remove all their property.
” FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello has given a marching order to clear the place, because criminals are largely hibernating their, even some people have admitted that the criminals have stolen some electrical installations in the area.
” We have warned them and given them an ultimatum before, but they pleaded that their partaker is not like the other ones, but the biggest in the country. They said that parking their things will take almost one month. We reviewed it because of the Ramadan and agreed on one week after the Sallah to vacate the place”, Attah added.
One of the leaders of Apo-Dutse Pantaker Market Association, Ambrusa Umar, said the operators have consented to the decision of the administration, but pleaded for two weeks, instead of one.
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Umar opined that the operators are law-abiding citizens, working to eke out a living and also contribute to the country’s economic growth.
He equally acknowledged that the place has had security challenges, but urged the administration to consider their request.
Recall that most robberies in the FCT have been traced to Panteka operators in various locations of the FCT.
