Condemnation has continued to trail the demolition of residential houses in Enugu City and an ancient market in Nsukka by the Enugu State government, which plans to make way for bus garages and parks.
A civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), said it amounts to irresponsibility and insensitivity for a government to introduce extensive and coordinated demolition of houses of the electorate for no justifiable reason other than building “white elephant projects” like a bus park.
The group asked Governor Peter Mbah to have a rethink and discontinue the demolition, which is “hurtful to the good people of Enugu State”. A statement by National Coordinator of the group, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said: “This demolition seems like a collective punishment from a governor who feels that the electorate didn’t actually vote for him because if Peter Mbah appreciates that he legitimately won that election, there is no reason why he should turn back and subject the people who voted for him to intolerable hardship.”
About 30 residential buildings, most of which are mainly two to three-storey structures, were marked for demolition by the Enugu East Town Planning Authority (ESTPA).
Notice of the demolition was posted on buildings on Saturday evening, asking people to vacate within 72 hours. Touched by the development, the residents of Amesi Street called on Mbah to come to their rescue.
Addressing journalists, a tenant, Mr Innocent Okolie, lamented that the residents were predominantly retired civil and public servants, hence government should consider their plight in the face of a demolition without alternative accommodation and compensation.
He added: “We appeal to the Governor of Enugu State to call his officials to order over this matter. We appeal that due process should be followed in consulting with landlords and tenants, to agree on an acceptable frame to vacate the area, if need be.”
