My concern here is not to bandy words with the officials of the FCDA, but to appeal to them for a review of the decision. Lugbe, according to Prince Mustapha, Chairman of Lugbe Community Development Association (LCDA), has a population of over 1.7 million people.
This figure, by all standards is very high. The question here is where does the government want this people to go? When Karimo was demolished during the tenure of Malam Nasir el-Rufai, an alternative settlement was allocated to them. Now that the same government is hell bent on destroying the community, where have they allocated for Lugbe residents?
In civilized societies, before an area is demolished, an alternative settlement will be provided with all social amenities put in place. But it is so painful that after nearly fifty years of independence, there is nothing like love among us Nigerians. The government should be sensitive to the plight of the masses, especially with the present harsh economic situation we now find ourselves in.
In Lugbe, there are schools, bakeries, churches, artisans and sundry other businesses that are employers of labour. If the warning becomes a reality, it means all those employed by these businesses will be thrown into the labour market to further increase the army of jobless Nigerians roaming the streets of Abuja.
I will want to use this medium to beg Senator Adamu Aliero, to please have a rethink of this imminent demolition exercise which may send many people to their early graves.
If the government must demolish, let them provide an alternative place for us. Moreover, the notice is too short. If again they want landlords to pay for the land and obtain genuine papers, let them do so. I have been a keen follower of Senator Aliero’s activities when he was governor of Kebbi State. I know him to be a listening governor, senator and now minister.
Tola Ademola, Proprietress, Abigland, International school Lugbe
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