Residents of Gwagwalada Area Council have been urged not to blame the newly inaugurated administration of Chairman Kasim Mohammed for the ongoing demolition of structures across parts of the area, as the council insists the exercise is being carried out solely by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
Speaking to journalists amid growing public outrage and confusion over the demolition campaign, Chairman Kasim clarified that neither the Gwagwalada Area Council nor his administration authorized or executed the operation.
According to him, the exercise is being undertaken by the FCDA’s Department of Development Control as part of efforts to remove illegal structures and shanties situated within and around school premises. Authorities say the move is aimed at improving security and creating a safer environment for students and surrounding communities.
The chairman disclosed that he had personally engaged officials of the Development Control Department to seek clarification on the scope of the exercise. He said he was informed that only properly approved and well-constructed corner shops would be spared, while unauthorized structures and makeshift settlements would be removed.
While acknowledging the importance of enforcing planning regulations and protecting public spaces, observers have questioned the manner in which demolition exercises are often carried out in the Federal Capital Territory, arguing that poor communication, inadequate notice, and the absence of resettlement measures frequently leave vulnerable residents bearing the brunt of government actions.
Kasim maintained that the objective of the operation is to safeguard lives and property, particularly those of school children, and urged residents to comply with extant regulations governing land use and development.
He further appealed to members of the public to disregard reports linking the exercise to his administration, stressing that the operation remains entirely under the jurisdiction of the FCDA Development Control Department.
The clarification comes amid heightened public concern over the demolition exercise, with affected residents seeking greater transparency from authorities and calling for a more humane approach to urban development enforcement.
As the exercise continues, many residents argue that while illegal structures may require removal, government agencies must balance enforcement with compassion, proper engagement, and adequate alternatives for those whose livelihoods are threatened by such actions.