The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has called on the state governments of Kano and Lagos and others that have carried out demolition of properties belonging to Nigerians to pay them adequate compensations.
Obi, who made the appeal on Tuesday, in statement he personally signed, said such compensation would ameliorate the unimaginable sufferings those Nigerians affected were going through at the moment.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Abba Kabir Yusuf of Lagos and Kano States respectively had recently carried out massive demolitions of properties allegedly built without government approvals.
In Lagos, the government demolished both residential and warehouses at the Alaba International Market in Ojo Local Council area. It claimed that those buildings were either distressed or built along water way.
While the demolition of properties was going on in Lagos, Kano State Government was also, demolishing residential buildings at Salanta Quarters and elsewhere.
Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, the Labour Presidential Candidate, said it lacked logic that Nigeria which faced 70 million housing deficit and vast unmet housing needs nationwide would be going around demolishing properties Nigerians built by self-help.
Obi 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.”
He added, “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,”