According to Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, street vendors in Abuja, including those selling maize, are a major cause of crime and unrest in the city.
In a meeting with the management staff of the Federal Capital Territory Administration and Federal Capital Development Authority, the former governor of Rivers State made this declaration and urged them to put doing what is right first.
“The most crucial thing we must do is make sure Abuja returns to its ideal state. As I moved around Abuja, I discovered that most areas are completely in the dark.
We need to make sure that light returns as soon as possible, he said.
In addition, Wike said, “If you are in charge of sanitation, I will call you at any time of the day.” Wike then ordered the immediate cleanup of Abuja.
He issued a warning, threatening to oust any official who didn’t live up to his standards of cleanliness. He added that operating motor parks in prohibited areas would not be permitted.
Street trading is not allowed, he continued. Insecurity is brought on by things like people dropping their trash carelessly while selling maize. Criminals arrive to buy, take advantage of the chance to spy, and provide information to other criminals. We must remove the street vendors.
“We need to stop the serious crisis in development control. Why are there shanties and illegal buildings everywhere? Any structure that is illegal will be destroyed. No matter how well placed, the building will collapse, he emphasised.
