The candidate of the Labour Party in the February 25 presidential election, Peter Obi, has condemned the widespread demolition of “so-called ‘illegal’ structures erected by some innocent Nigerian citizens in error”.
Recall that some state Governors,
particularly Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano state, had commenced a demolition spree
of structures approved by the past administration.
However, Obi in a post on his
verified Twitter handle on Tuesday said it was counterproductive to demolish
structures that serve as homes, businesses, SMEs offices and stores despite
Nigeria’s 70 million housing deficit.
The LP candidate who noted that
some demolitions may be excusable urged governments across the country to
sensitive to the plight of ordinary Nigerians.
He appealed to regulatory
governmental authorities to combine the need to enforce compliance with
consideration for human feelings and necessary compassion amid the huge
unemployment, inflation and high costs of living that Nigerians are currently
facing.
The LP candidate also called for
the prompt payment of adequate compensation to victims of demolition
He said, “Recently, there have
been reports of widespread government demolition of so-called ‘illegal’
structures erected by some innocent Nigerian citizens in error.
“We face a paradox: with a 70
million housing deficit and vast unmet housing needs nationwide some resort to
self-help of building structures that serve as homes, businesses, SMEs offices
and stores. Invariably, some of these structures were either not approved or
were built with the tacit collusion or approval of the local authorities.
“While some of these ongoing
demolitions may be excusable, they have nonetheless, left many victims, mostly
ordinary people who erred innocently or were ill-informed or misguided.
Necessary corrective measures to planning or zoning violations by governments,
need not be punitive or unduly insensitive. There should always be room for
compassion and humane correction in taking any remedial action.
“I respectfully appeal to various
governmental authorities to marry the need to enforce compliance with extant regulatory
regimes, with consideration for human feelings and necessary compassion. In
Nigeria, we live in a time of extreme difficulties for citizens because of
stagnated income, spiraling inflation, huge unemployment escalating
socio-economic costs and high costs of living.
“Nigerian citizens should
therefore, not be subjected to the additional stress of unexpected hardship.
Moreover, the various concerned governments should consider paying compensation
to those who have lost properties and livelihood in these unfortunate
demolitions to ameliorate their suffering. Such compensation should fall under
the rubric of eminent domain that is applicable for properties and assets
acquired or demolished in the public interest.
“It cannot ever be overemphasized that the primary duty of any government is the responsibility to care for and protect her citizens,” he added
Post a Comment