On the 12th May 2008, the Federation of Urban Poor (FEDUP), a network/coalition formed through the intervention of WEPs activities and programs over the years of all in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and environs comprising of CBOs/CDAs, Okada riders, Women Associations, Scavengers (Yan Bola), Market Women, farmers, displaced and evicted persons whose major objectives is to create a platform for engagement with the government and other stakeholders in the society on developmental issues especially in the urban and peri-urban cities reported to WEP, the attempt by the FCDA (Development Control) to again demolish communities along the airport road despite the fact that when President Umaru Musa Yar Adua came into power, he ordered that no demolitions should take place again in FCT (See Daily Trust 27th July 2007) and even when and where it to be done, it would be done with the consent and approval of the people and alternatives provided.
Our investigation reveals the following:
In the case of Gosa Sariki village/community along airport road, on the 5th May 2008, the Director, Development Control of FCDA visited the said communities in the evening (8:00pm) to inform the residents that those whose houses were 150 meters from the main road were going to be demolished the next day. By 6:00 am bulldozers were stationed and began the actual demolition, but aside from the 150 meters, they extended it right into the village with over 300 meters.
On the 10th May, same Director of FCDA visited Toge community still along airport road at 8:00pm to intimate them of the pending demolitions. According to information from the Chief of Egbira Adamu Mohammed, the FCDA director informed them that Mr. President has complained that he was being disturbed by the reflection of the roofing sheets along the areas and therefore wanted the communities to be demolished. These particular community of Toge went to get a court injuction, however, the FCDA authorities stated that there were not aware of any court injuction even when it was pasted all over the community and a copy sent to thier office.
On the 27th May, Yahaya Yusuf, Development Control Director FCDA went to the community again at 5:00pm to reinstate the decision to demolish the community. On enquiry about the reason for demolition, the people informed WEP team and quoted the Director as saying that :” Order from Mr. President to use firebrigade approach to demolish the communities as the reflection from the zince is affecting his eyes”.
On the 11th June 2008, the FCDA went for the demolition but were halt by protesters.(See Daily Trust June 10 and 12th June 2008, page 47 for more information.)
On the 13th June 2008 an SOS was sent to WEP from the community informing them that bulldozers were already in thier community and that they had started demolishing, however, they were going to protest. WEP sent a team to confirm the information received, it is however disheartening to report that 4 of the protesters were shot (Issa Buruku, Kabiru Abubakar, Dan Asebe, Ismaila Abdullahi who was shot in the stomach by Cpl Sanga Mohammed has now been confirmed dead, while one is improving and two are critically ill. WEP had to take some of the people to the hospital in Gwagwalada general hospital but were turned down that unless an x-ray was conducted on them to ascertain. The WEP team had to take for instance Kabiru Abubakar to St.Marys Hospital where the x-ray was conducted and taken back to Gwagwalada hospital before he was accepted .
While WEP does not accept illegality from the people by violating the rule of law and putting up structures that are illegal, building without acceptable standards and without proper documetation and approval, it is important to note that where the government has failed in its duty to create a safety net for its citizens, a lot are expected to happen. In Abuja and indeed the whole country, land has been commercialised and commodified and its in the hands of the private sector and the very few and powerful rich in the country. How many of us can actually afford a house in Abuja when the least land is going for about N3million. The housing estates in Abuja now, ordinary 1-2 bedrooms apartments are going for N6-8millions. For goodness sake, how many of poor people can afford it.
It is criminal that just when the Senate is investigating the demolition exercise carried out by El-Rufai, the Moddibbo admministration is operating underground and doing exactly the same.
This is a serious call for action by all, we must make cities to also work for the poor otherwise.
Take actions now. If you are a journalist, kindly do your bit by publicing this story, if you are a lawyer support the victims by writing to the President, supporting the victims by instituting charges against FCDA, write to the president to halt demolitions in Abuja, call the international communities to step in, talk to your friends who are in leadership positionand authority, Moddibo must stop.