Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, was envisioned as a clean, well-planned, and developed city. However, the rapid growth of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has led to the emergence of informal settlements and illegal structures, posing significant challenges to urban planning and development.
The city’s rapid growth can be attributed to its status as the fastest-growing capital city in Africa. Government offices, artisans, businesses, and industries have sprouted up in different parts of Abuja, attracting large-scale migration from other parts of Nigeria. Unfortunately, this growth has also led to the proliferation of illegal structures, including makeshift shelters and stores made from materials like wood and shipping containers.
These illegal structures can be found in areas like Lugbe, Kubwa, Zhidu village, and Zone 6, among others. They not only deface the FCT but also fail to provide the aesthetic and functional systems that the city was designed to offer its residents.
Recently, the Department of Development Control of the FCTA met with representatives of indigenous communities in Zhidu, Piwoyi, and Peace Village to discuss the proposed removal of illegal structures. While this is a step in the right direction, it is worrying that these problems are often addressed reactively rather than proactively.
To tackle this issue, the government must integrate systems that support effective urbanization. This can be achieved by:
- Subsidizing the building of plazas: Providing affordable and regulated spaces for businesses and residents.
- Properly marking and demarcating areas: Ensuring that areas meant for complexes and stores are clearly designated and enforced.
- Effective monitoring: Encouraging regular monitoring to stop and address illegal structures at the concept stage.
The government’s lack of proactiveness has contributed to the disregard for regulations by some Nigerians. It often takes years for government activity or presence to be registered in some of these areas, highlighting the need for a more proactive approach.
To make Abuja a model city of economic and political productivity, it is essential to address the issue of illegal structures and promote sustainable urban development.
Ubong Usoro for Nigeria Magazine
