The denial of the planned demolition of 1,500 houses in the Xhidu community near Lugbe Phase II in Abuja by the Federal government has been confirmed by Kenneth Chigelu, the Head of the Press and Publicity Unit of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).

Despite widespread reports last week that the FHA intended to demolish the houses to make way for a private housing estate, the FHA has stated that it is not responsible for the planned demolition. Chigelu clarified that the FHA had acquired the land from the Federal Capital Territory Administration for housing development and had compensated the farmers who previously owned the land.

He further explained that the illegal development encroached upon the right of way of Ring Road, which services the entire area, and that the identification of developments within FHA’s land and the ring road had been carried out eight months ago to facilitate the land’s development.

The FHA has called on individuals with legitimate claims to the land to provide proof of ownership and approval for building documentation. The authority remains resolute in its commitment to not accommodate any slum development within the area.