Victor EzejaPresidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the February 25 election, Mr Peter Obi, has urged the government to see the need to compensate Nigerians affected by building demolitions carried out in parts of the country.
Obi made the call while reacting to the recent demolition of buildings at the bustling Alaba International Market, in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos.
The exercise carried out by the Lagos State Task Force left many traders displaced.
The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), marked at least 17 buildings for demolition. According to the agency, they were already distressed and posed a threat to public safety.
Reacting to the incident, Obi in a series of tweets on Tuesday morning said that although some of the demolitions might be excusable, they had left many of the victims, mostly ordinary people, who according to him were either innocently ill-informed or misguided.
He said since the primary duty of government is to care for and protect the citizens, it ought to apply compassion and a humane approach in exercising “any remedial action.”
The former Anambra State governor noted that people are undergoing difficulties caused by inflation and unemployment in Nigeria and should therefore not be subjected to additional hardship.
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His 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 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 livelihoods 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.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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