Court Orders Seal-off Of 36 Houses In Asokoro

 

A mobile court sitting in Asokoro at the weekend ordered the seal-off of 36 houses in the area for the occupants’ failure to obey a redecoration order by the development control department of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

The court summoned 41 residents of Churchill Street; Omar Bongo Close; Daniel Arap Moi Close; Paul Biya Close; and Queen Elizabeth Street, all in Asokoro, while only five of them appeared in court.

Delivering judgment, Magistrate Folashade Oyekan, gave the residents in court two weeks to redecorate their buildings while the department was ordered to seal-off houses of the rest who failed to honour the court sermons.

Speaking to journalists, the FCT prosecutor, Barr. Arome Tokula, said the accused persons failed to comply with an order of the department, instructing them to repaint their dilapidated houses, saying the offence contravened Section 35 Sub Section 1 (E) of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) Act of 1997 and punishable under 2 (B) of the same section.

In his remarks, the department’s head of aesthetics and amenities, Mr Dominic Odenigbo, advised Abuja residents to always comply with directives of the department, noting the administration’s desire to ensure that Abuja remained a decent city.

“Our mandate is to ensure that Abuja remains a model city that will appeal to Nigerians and visitors from other parts of the world.

“The minimum length of time we give to residents to comply is six months and this is enough time for people to make financial provisions to repaint their houses,” he stated.

He said that the mobile court would be a continuous exercise and eventually cover all parts of the FCT.

Earlier in his remarks, the department’s public relations officer, Mr Kalu Emetu, noted with dismay that residents only concentrate on redecorating and painting their homes without recourse to their fence or gate houses.

Emetu said: “People concentrate on repainting their houses leaving the fences, and the department has observed this development with dismay. Consequently, the department is giving residents up to August 18, 2015, for those who have redecorated their houses, to comply and make up the contrast.

“We commend the people that have made effort to put their buildings in order but also the fences and gate houses should also be attended to.