HURIWA Berates Plan to Demolish 200 Houses to Accommodate Presidential Fleet

HURIWA Berates Plan to Demolish 200 Houses to Accommodate Presidential Fleet

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has deemed the plan to demolish 200 homes in order to accommodate the Presidential fleet insensitive and dehumanizing.

 The group in a statement signed by its national coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to reconsider this decision, especially at a time when governments worldwide are striving for compactness and cost efficiency.

HURIWA recommended downsizing the presidential fleet by selling off some jets or using them for commercial purposes to generate revenue for public funds.

The right group criticized the enormous budget allocated towards maintaining such an extensive presidential fleet while most governments globally operate leaner administrations.

“The news that the Federal government is planning to displace 200 families by demolishing 200 houses of persons who may be staying in their ancestral homeland, just so the Nigerian Air force can further expand aviation facilities for the travelling comfort of just two families making up the presidency, truly sounds like a movie idea in Hollywood. There is almost nowhere in the world and in this 21st century, have seen or heard that government put in place to serve the people will start behaving like a monarchy when in fact the system of government is democracy. Is the Nigerian Air Force set up solely to service the travelling comfort of Mr. President and his Vice President around?

“Why is the Air force trying to use underhand tactics to remove 200 families by simply knocking down their houses to make way for the President to have bigger Air fleet. This is totally inexplicable. And to even read the casually written media statement in which a departmental head is unaware if the proper legal processes have been adhered to such as providing alternative settlements and compensation for those to be displaced, has demonstrated the predisposition of officials of government to just humiliate citizens in their attempt to do eye service to ingratiate themselves to the cosy admiration of the powers-that-be. This is so very pathetic and unkind to put it very mildly. “

HURIWA recalls Section 14(1) of Nigeria’s Constitution, which states that “The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based on democracy and social justice.” Furthermore, section 44(1) stipulates how no movable property or any interest in immovable property should be taken possession compulsorily without prompt payment of compensation as prescribed by law.

Officials from the Federal Capital Territory Administration announced plans to demolish Nuwalege community near Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja following a request from Nigerian Air Force authorities who claimed it was part of the Presidential Fleet plots. According to Mukhtar Galadima, Director Department of Development Control, about 150-200 houses with additional commercial stores attached will be affected during demolition.

Compensation discussions are ongoing between FCT Administration alongside Department Resettlement & Compensation as well as Nigerian Airforce authorities while investigations continue into whether compensations were paid previously or not.

HURIWA strongly cautions against abandoning those Nigerians about-to-be displaced must never be abandoned cruel fate.

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