By Henry Umoru

ABUJA — As part of moves to correct some distortions in the master plan of the Federal Capital Territory, the Department of Development Control last week, pulled down a church and several make-shift structures in the city.

The Director, Development Control, Yahaya Yusuf said that the Pentecostal Church was constructed in a place designated for a recreational centre as well as a garden in the district. This, according to him, contravened the Land Use Law.

“We identified an offensive structure which was not being used for the purpose it has been earmarked for. The illegal structure was not park friendly. It was built and being used as a place of worship which is against the purpose the plot was allocated”.he said.

Continuing, Yusuf said: “Precisely, almost a year ago, there was an attempt to put up the same structure on Plot 769, it was at the skeletal level when it was discovered and because it is a residential plot, we had to remove that same church from plot 769 Gudu District which the owner claims to be his property. They decided to relocate it, but in the course of construction we served them notice to stop work”.

Yahaya who spoke through the Chief Town Planning Officer at Department of Development Control, Nathaniel Atebuje, said further, “the properties were marked and the owners were equally invited and we made it known to them that the place is not meant for church and that they should raise up a structure that is park friendly.

“We marked the place almost a month ago but when there was no response from them, we decided to remove it as part of the cleaning exercise we are doing” he said.