Obi knocks Kano govt, says demolition exercise has caused more hardship for poor Nigerians
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Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has berated the government of Kano State over the ongoing demolition exercise which started one month ago after governor Yusuf Abba took over the baton of leadership.
The state government in the last one month has demolished some structures while several others have been marked for demolition.
The government anchored its action on the grounds that the land upon which the affected structures were erected were “illegally” allocated by the immediate past government Ganduje.
The structures already demolished include the multi-billion Naira project at the old Daula Hotel, shopping plazas at the Polo Ground and at the Eid ground, while residential and commercial buildings have been marked for demolition at Salanta area and BUK road.
However, Mr Peter Obi in a statement which a copy was obtained by News Band, accused the government of compounding the problem of poor Nigerians with demolition exercise.
The former governor of Anambra State noted that with over 70 million housing deficit and vast unmet housing needs nationwide, Kano State government should exercised cautioned and show human sympathy.
Obi however, urged the state government to pay compensation to the effected individuals in the ongoing demolition exercise as this will assuage their pain.
Part of the statement reads, “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 the 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 applies to 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.”
