IMPACT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF FEDERAL CAPITAL CITY, ABUJA, ON SELECTED SETTLEMENTS IN KARU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NASSARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The location of the first built phases of the Federal Capital City is at the extreme eastern side of the Federal Capital Territory. Easy transportation of the required labour forces from this location to the construction site resulted in the large number of low-grade formal and informal housing developments at various places within and outside the Federal Capital Territory borders, some of which are in the Karu Local Government Area of Nassarawa State. Among the neighbouring towns of Abuja right from its inception, Karu experiences the highest influx of Abuja immigrants. This is due to its close proximity and high accessibility to the new Federal Capital City. Consequently, a large number of workers in the public and private sectors of Abuja reside in Karu and commute daily for work in the Federal Capital City. This study has assessed the impact of the creation of Abuja on the environmental conditions of Karu and its environs. It achieved this through analysis of the spatial expressions of the consequences stemming from the need for alternative residential area away from the FCC which has necessitated the upsurge of these unplanned residential developments, absence of adequate infrastructural facilities and institutional lapses in enforcing the development control standards in the study area. The study concluded by drawing relevant recommendations based on the findings from all the surveys and analysis carried out and this is thus believed is pertinent to the improvement of the environmental condition of Karu and its environs to make them sustainable for the residents and intending migrants.