FCTA Reopens Abuja Scrap Markets After Five-Week Closure
Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has officially reopened scrap markets in Abuja, five weeks after they were shut down due to concerns over security and environmental violations. The decision to reopen follows a series of engagements between the administration and stakeholders in the sector.
The markets, which serve as a hub for recycling and scrap metal trading, were closed to address issues of illegal activities, including harboring criminals and environmental degradation. During the closure, the FCTA conducted a thorough assessment and implemented new measures to ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards.
Speaking on the reopening, the Director of the FCTA Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, emphasized that the administration had put in place stringent regulations to prevent a recurrence of the issues that led to the shutdown. He noted that scrap dealers had been mandated to adhere to proper waste disposal methods and maintain a database of transactions to curb illegal dealings.
“We have engaged the operators extensively, and they have agreed to abide by the laid-out guidelines. The reopening is conditional on their strict adherence to the rules,” Galadima stated.
Scrap dealers and workers welcomed the reopening, expressing relief and gratitude to the FCTA for reconsidering their plight. A trader, Musa Ibrahim, highlighted the economic hardship they faced during the closure, stating, “Many of us depend on this business to survive. We are grateful to the government for allowing us to resume operations.”
The FCTA has warned that any violation of the new regulations will result in immediate and permanent closure. Authorities have also deployed monitoring teams to ensure compliance with waste management and security guidelines.
Residents and environmental activists have called for sustained oversight to prevent the return of past challenges, urging the FCTA to balance economic opportunities with maintaining public order and environmental sustainability.
As businesses resume in Abuja’s scrap markets, stakeholders hope that the new policies will foster a more organized and secure environment for both traders and the public. bussiness
