Judul : Victims Flee to Chief's Palace as FCTA Demolishes Homes in Gwarimpa
link : Victims Flee to Chief's Palace as FCTA Demolishes Homes in Gwarimpa
Victims Flee to Chief's Palace as FCTA Demolishes Homes in Gwarimpa
The Federal Capital Territory development control office's bulldozers were in Kuchibedna, a settlement within the Gwarimpa area, on Tuesday during a demolition operation.
Abuja Metro was informed that four bulldozers, along with a group from combined security agencies, entered the area, and shortly after, the demolition process began.
The Abuja Metro went to the community, where residents were observed in a troubled state, with several having already lost their properties due to the operation.
In the midst of the disorder, a group from the FCT Public Complaints Commission, headed by its commissioner, Musa Dikko, came to the community. After the commissioner met with officials from the FCT Development Control, the operation was suspended.
Several of the affected individuals were observed seeking shelter at the community chief's palace. Speaking to Abuja Metro, the village head of the community, Mr. George Kojo, alleged that a specific developer was responsible for the operation.
He claimed that the developer had seized a significant part of the community land, which encompassed their farms, for more than ten years after a previous demolition process.
He was forced to halt additional destruction after we quickly went to a court in Abuja. The court requested that we present our Certificate of Occupancy (C of O). However, we informed the court that as the original inhabitants of this community, we have been here since our ancestors, and the government never issued us any certificate in the first place.
"The court proceeded to deliver its verdict in their favor. We filed an appeal with the Court of Appeal, which also ruled in their favor. We are now at the Supreme Court, where the case is still pending. Therefore, we are surprised to see them returning to the community with the same objective of continuing the demolition process, even though they have not yet resettled my people or provided them with alternative land," the chief expressed sorrowfully.
Additionally, a community youth leader named Saleh Yakubu mentioned that residents had not received any prior warning before the exercise on Tuesday.
A number of us had assembled on the edge of the settlement, where we were waiting for the arrival of FCDA officials, who were scheduled to survey our land for compensation as a road would be constructed along the Karmo axis.
Suddenly, we witnessed the officials from the FCT Development Control Department entering our neighborhood. The group of security personnel who were with them began firing into the sky and launching tear gas canisters into the growing crowd. They prevented anyone from approaching them to ask for explanations. We had no choice but to relay the information to any leader in the FCT whom we knew could step in and help resolve the situation.
"Our prayers were fulfilled with the arrival of the FCT Public Complaints Commission team, led by commissioner Musa Dikko, who managed to stop the process," Yakubu said.
He remarked, "Our community's story would be different today, since no structure was intended to be left untouched in the process, including the chief's palace. They were demolishing the building using all four bulldozers they had at their disposal at the same time, showing how quickly they wanted to complete the exercise," said the young leader.
FCT Public Complaints Commission gets involved
In the meantime, the FCT Public Complaints Commission has become involved in the matter. In a statement released shortly after the incident, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the commission, Emmanuel Ugboaja, mentioned that following the commission's visit to the area, its commissioner, Musa Dikko, met with the officials from the Development Control department on-site, including its acting director.
The FCT Ombudsman, Honorable Musa Dikko, attempted to speak with the official overseeing the demolition process. The Acting Director of the Development Control Enforcement Unit came forward but refused to share complete information and also declined to be filmed. When asked about the demolition notice or any court order allowing the demolition, he was unable to produce any.
Following continuous pressure from the commissioner, he acknowledged that the document could not be found at the location, stating that it was in the office. However, upholding the principle of due process, Honorable Dikko decided that the demolition activity should be suspended until a valid legal authorization document was presented. A call was then made to the Director of Development Control, who spoke directly with the commissioner.
"The Director ordered the demolition drill to be halted until the court's decree is clarified and confirmed," the statement noted.
Members of the FCT Development Control Department chose not to respond to the event.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).Demikianlah Artikel Victims Flee to Chief's Palace as FCTA Demolishes Homes in Gwarimpa
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