Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a bold step to relocate the popular Apo Mechanic Village to a permanent site, 25 years after the idea was borne.

This he disclosed as he dismissed speculations that the Administration had given a deadline for occupiers of the Mechanic Village to move out or risk demolition, saying there was no such directive.

He also warned officials against nepotism in the allocation of shops.

The move would see thousands of auto technicians, spare parts dealers and other ancillary service providers being relocated from the current road corridor where they operate to a more expansive permanent site in Wasa District, a 15 minutes drive from their current location.

Inaugurating a 19-member technical committee on the relocation of auto technicians from Apo to Wasa, the minister who was represented by the Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Agency (AMMC), Chief Felix Obuah said for years the technicians had lost hope and were afraid that the place could be demolished at any time.

He said rather than embarking on any demolition, the Wike-led Administration has decided to first provide a better alternative and ensure an orderly migration before demolition the current site to pave the way for expansion of the roads.

His words: “You will recall that sometimes two weeks ago, we had a meeting to see how we can relocate the Apo Mechanic who had been operating on the right of way.

“We have set up a technical committee to go into Wasa and Apo to enumerate who and who we are relocating. This is what we have done today, at the end of that we will be able to give accurate time when we are going to relocate them.

“Some people said we have given a deadline for the traders to go away. That is not true. We haven’t given such deadline”, he added.

Chairman of the committee, Malam Abubakar Makama, said the issue has been lingering for over 25 years without any solution and thanked the Coordinator for swinging into action within just three months in office.