Aco Estate Residents Protest Chinese Quarry Blasting

Residents of Aco Estate in Abuja barricaded the Chinese quarters on Saturday due to ongoing blasting activities by a Chinese quarry company, despite a prior commitment made to the FCT Commission and the Nigerian Police to cease operations until a mutual agreement was reached. Sunni Kulutuy, the chairman of the estate association, led the protest, asserting that the company unilaterally resumed blasting, endangering the structural integrity of homes in the area.

Kulutuy claimed that 80% of the houses would not pass integrity tests due to damage from the blasts, which had previously caused cracks and even the collapse of newly installed ceilings. The residents demanded clarity on whether the FCT Commission had indeed authorized the resumption of blasting.

The protest followed a meeting two weeks prior, where representatives from the quarry company were expected to work towards a solution. The residents vowed to continue their protest until their grievances were addressed.