Chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT, Smart Adeyemi, who spoke when the joint committee went on an oversight visit to the settlement at the weekend, maintained that there would not be any demolition until alternative to resettle the residents is ready urging the residents not to panic.
He said, “our investigations indicate that most of them cannot present valid papers but we would not allow the area to be demolished just like that, we would ensure that the residents are properly taken care of. We all know how difficult the times are and we would not add to their burden.”
During oversight, the lawmakers also expressed concern over demolitions in Kyami district along the Airport road.
Kyami district which has over 3,000 plots was reportedly allocated to national lawmakers and other Nigerians, however, an unknown developer erected over 1,000 housing units alleged to be illegal on the plots.
The joint committee invited the developer and officials of the FCDA for a meeting scheduled for Friday.
While officials of FCDA who accompanied the lawmakers agreed that the structures were illegal, the lawmakers queried how such structures were developed to such an advanced level without authorisation.
While the committee could not meet with the developer on Friday as scheduled, FCDA on Saturday pulled down over 100 units of the structures in disregard of an order of the National Assembly.
Reacting to the action of FCDA, Adeyemi, said “we are going to carry out investigations and if we discover that the developers have valid papers and other necessary documents to support the development of the area, the FCDA would surely pay compensation.
“l cannot adduce any reasons for the hurried demolition. We had scheduled another meeting for this week Thursday for all stakeholders to be present and for us to give everybody the right to present his or her position on this matter.
“What were the officials of the FCDA doing when the structures were at the foundation level up to the completion. They must come and explain to us and if at the end of the day, the developer has a good case we will ensure that the FCDA pays good compensation
“Our position is to put a stop to the impunity and disobedience of the law all over the FCT and do what is right and restore the master plan. We also as the lawmakers, must be able to protect the rights of all the citizens and not oppress them. The Kyami district was allocated to the lawmakers and other Nigerians.”
SOURCE: 1 October 2012.
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