The Borno State Government has begun moves to
demolish over 20 churches and schools built by them.
Our correspondent gathered on
Sunday that the state government would embark on the demolition exercise any
moment from now.
A leaflet from the office of
the Borno State Ministry of Lands and Survey dated August 20 and signed by one
Musa Ummate (O/C Land Administration) on behalf of the commissioner was
obtained by journalists on Sunday in Abuja.
The leaflet is titled,
‘Notice of acquisition and assessment/valuation of structures on proposed site
for 1000 Housing Units along Gubio Road Highway.’
It reads: “I am directed to
refer to you farmers and holders of structures on the proposed site for caption
matter above and regret to inform you that the Executive Governor has, on the
power conferred on him by Section (2)b of the Land Use Act 1978, directed
through high powered committee on Construction Ref. no: HPCC/2500/HE/S/TEC/1 to
notify you of his intention to acquire your farm lands and assessment/valuation
of the structures on the proposed site situated along Gubio Road, Maiduguri.
“The acquisition is necessary
in view of requirements of the land acquisition by the state government for
overriding public interest to construct a Housing Esate. The affected farmers
and holders of structures are to take note and appear on site for the above
exercise, please.”
But a CAN source said, “Over
20 churches and many schools will be affected. The parcels of land on which the
churches were built were bought from farmers and have the authority and
certificate of the District Head in Maiduguri popularly called Bulama. The land
was not under the ministry when it was bought.”
When contacted, the General
Secretary of CAN, Dr. Musa Asake, confirmed the development but called on the
Borno State Government to have a rethink.
He said, “We have seen that eviction
notice from the Borno State Government. We are all Nigerians and there are
other places where the state government can develop. The areas being earmarked
for demolition are already developed with churches and schools.
“We have enough problems at hand
and we don’t want to add another one. Christians have suffered enough in Borno
State. If the state government wants to destroy churches and build any housing
estate, no Christian will see it as a sign of progress.”
Asake promised that CAN would
take up the matter with Borno State
Government as soon as it was confirmed that the letter actually emanated from
the government.
Several calls and text
messages to the mobile phone of the Borno State Commissioner for
Information, Mr. Inuwa Bwala, as at 3:45
pm on Sunday for the state government’s reaction were not replied.
0 comments:
Post a Comment