Traders at the Garki Model Market in Abuja have appealed to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to suspend development activities along the railway corridor, raising concerns over the alleged conversion of areas reserved for public purposes.

The traders are also calling for a comprehensive investigation into activities around the affected areas, saying that any development carried out without proper authorisation could have serious implications for the market and surrounding communities.

The concerns come amid growing apprehension among traders over the use of spaces within the Garki area that they believe were originally designated for specific purposes.

According to the traders, the authorities should clarify the status of the affected locations and ensure that development does not proceed until all relevant planning and regulatory issues have been properly addressed.

They urged the FCTA to intervene promptly and prevent further activities that could alter the designated use of the railway corridor.

The traders said such an intervention would help protect public spaces, promote orderly development and prevent disputes between market users, developers and government agencies.

They also called for transparency in the handling of development approvals within the area, stressing that stakeholders should be properly informed before any major changes are made to spaces connected to the market and railway corridor.

The appeal comes as concerns over land use and development in parts of Abuja continue to generate public attention, with stakeholders increasingly calling for strict adherence to the capital territory’s planning regulations.

The traders therefore urged the FCTA to investigate the situation and take appropriate steps to protect the integrity of the affected corridor while ensuring that development within Garki follows approved planning guidelines.