A resolution has finally been reached after 15 years of conflict over the Apo Mechanic Village crisis. Felix Obuah, the Coordinator of Abuja Municipal Management Council revealed the information to the press on Tuesday in Abuja.
Additionally, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), AMMC announced that it will start moving traders and mechanics who work in buffer zones and on roads to Wassa.
Obuah informed the mechanics and traders in the impacted neighborhoods during a meeting with 17 recognized unions and 16 other groups that Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, had authorized land in the Wassa community of Abuja for the relocation of all affected individuals.
Apo Mechanic Village in Abuja has been beset by several problems, such as the FCT administration’s threat of demolition and relocation, overcrowding that affects over 1,000 traders, environmental concerns that have led to orders to leave the area, the requirement that mechanics and traders provide their NIN to avoid double registration, and disputes between the more than 50 unions that were once divided into four.
According to Obuah, “This issue of Apo Mechanic and traders has lasted for over 15 years, I am just three months old in the office and we have settled the issue, today they are happy, they are smiling and we are smiling”.
“We have decided to relocate all the traders on the road corridor, buffer zone, and the right of way to Wassa any moment from now and they are all happy. As I speak, the minister had approved, and even the task force to effect the movement is being set up”, he added.
The enumeration procedure would be comprehensive, Obuah emphasized, and to avoid duplicate registration, mechanics and dealers must submit their NIN.
Additionally, he made it clear that although union collaboration is required to expedite the process, allocations will be granted to people rather than unions.
Obuah guarantees that the new location in the Wassa community will be a long-term solution. The relocation is anticipated to take place within the next month.
