The officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), along with operatives of security personnel, have uncovered an illegal oil refining warehouse in Mabushi, opposite the Mobile filling station on Ahmadu Bello Way in Abuja.
The Director of the Department of Development Control, FCTA, Mukhtar Galadima, stated after the operation on Thursday that the illegal refining site was discovered during the continuation of the city cleaning exercise.
According to him, about three to four plots of land designated for commercial purposes have been converted to an area where oil and diesel are being adulterated and circulated to other parts of the city.
Galadima explained that the city sanitation task force would examine the provisions of the law and make necessary recommendations to the FCT Administration for further actions on the plots used for the activity.
He mentioned that no arrests were made, but the items used in carrying out the illegal refining were impounded.
Galadima said, “During the continuation of our city sanitation exercise in Mabushi opposite the Mobile filling station on Ahmadu Way, we discovered an illegal refining site where oil and diesel are being adulterated. We have done the needful by moving the items to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.
“From what we have seen so far, about three or four plots of land designated for commercial purposes have been converted to unapproved activities, which we believe the owners are fully aware of. There will be consequences. We are going to look at the provisions of the law and make necessary recommendations to the FCT Administration.”
He stated that the administration would continue to be tough on activities carried out without government approval, especially revocation of titles.
Collaborating, Head of Operations, FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Service (DRTS), Deborah Osho, said the city management team during the exercise also discovered that most of the areas in the nation’s capital have been converted to illegal car marts and motor parks.
She disclosed that fifteen vehicles have been impounded since the operation commenced about two days ago.
READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
