Kaduna residents support El-Rufai over reclamation of govt land

EFFORTS by the Kaduna State Government to reclaim public land from illegal occupants received a boost on Monday when residents of the state organised a rally to declare their support for Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s over the exercise.

The protesters under the auspice of Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Kaduna State Market Association, New Panteka Old Students Association for Skill Acquisition, GSM handset sellers and other artisans after a peaceful rally in different locations went to the Government House to urge El-Rufai to continue with the exercise.

They carried placards with different inscriptions such as “Don’t be afraid of anybody, just continue with the demolition exercise”, “We are strongly behind you while you recover our stolen land from greedy politicians”, “El-Rufai save the future of children and get back our school lands from the rich” and others.

They urged El-Rufai to demolish any house or structure erected within any school premises.

The spokesman of the youth groups who organized the rally, Abdullahi Ladan, said the reason they came out en-masse to support the governor was because they believe that, “he is doing a good work by recovering public hospital and school lands acquired by the rich and powerful in the society.”

He also assured the governor that the youths have agreed to give him the necessary backing to demolish and rebuild structures suitable for learning.

Ladan said: “We are begging you not to be discouraged by the threats in some quarters and those in the corridors of power, just do the right thing for sake of posterity.”

At the occasion, the representative of NURTW, Alhaji Aliyu Banga, surrendered the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), of his house to the governor, asking him to demolish if it falls within the category of illegal buildings.

According to him: “I have surrendered my C of O if it warrants demolition, government should go ahead and do so,” he told the governor and the crowd.

Governor El-Rufai, in his address assured them of his commitment to develop and make Kaduna a model state that will attract investors and sustainable development.

He, however, emphasised that in doing so his administration will try to correct the errors committed by previous governments in the state.

The governor said: “We are not going back on recovering of all lands belonging to the state government, no matter who owns them.”

El-Rufai then urged the youth to remain law abiding and promised them that “the change you voted for is now here.”