An appeal to Acting President
We pray to God Almighty to give you the wisdom of Solomon to be able to rule well with the fear of God always in your mind. We want to quickly intimate you through this letter, of the plan to demolish this peaceful community, come February 28, 2010, by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA). […]
We pray to God Almighty to give you the wisdom of Solomon to be able to rule well with the fear of God always in your mind.
We want to quickly intimate you through this letter, of the plan to demolish this peaceful community, come February 28, 2010, by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
In the first place, we state unequivocally that it is on record that Lugbe residents, over the years, have been very supportive of all programmes and policies of the various successive administrations of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and AMAC.
We, however, state our concerns and reservations over the planned demolition. Firstly, it is ironic that a government that has promised to build thousands of houses to solve acute shortage of houses in Nigeria, with a view to achieve the objectives of the 7-Point Agenda, as well as the Millennium Development Goals, would at the same time, be embarking on mass demolition of houses to render many more millions of its citizens homeless.
Secondly, it will paint a picture of insensitivity on the part of government to carry-out the proposed exercise, given the level of poverty and hardship pervading the land now.
Thirdly, it is noteworthy that many opinions have been proffered that would appeal to both the government and the people on the issue, in line with the Abuja Master Plan. They include:-
INTEGRATION: This will provide for Lugbe to be integrated into the Masterplan, but with laid down guidelines on the infrastructural development of the place. This was even reached as an agreement between leaders of the community and FCDA officials in the past administration, but was not put down on paper before that regime left office.
RELOCATION: Under a relocation arrangement, there ought to be an articulated enumeration that will ensure that all affected persons are relocated to a suitable location not very far from the current place of abode.
RESETTLMENT: The case of resettlement provides for the moving of the people affected (indigenes) to another location just like the case of Garki village.
ACQUISITION: The process of acquisition is where the people are made to formally apply and acquire the place and develop according to given designs.
Your Excellency, it is noteworthy that all the above solutions have huge financial implications, but a co-ordinated approach like that will lessen the burden and inconveniences on us. Any of the options will take between two and five years to conclude. We hereby implore you to use your good offices to intervene and bring the situation under control.
Thanks, as we anticipate your understanding and co-operation.
Mr K. C. Ehirim, chairman, Tola Ademola, Secretary, Lugbe Community Residents, Lugbe, Abuja