By Our Correspondent
Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, Christopher Maikalangu has condemned the recent demolition of property in Karsana Community in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, by a developer, Oceanic Properties and Equilibrium Concept.
Maikalangu made the condemnation on Saturday in Abuja after inspecting the extent of the demolition and its effect on the livelihood of residents.
The AMAC chairman described the developer’s action as a grave injustice against the community and vowed to seek redress for them in court.
According to him, the people are legitimate indigenous Gbagyi people of the FCT who are entitled to full compensation for the damage caused.
“Legal action will be pursued by the community and AMAC authorities. Official reports are being submitted to senior government officials,” he said.
Maikalangu appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike for immediate intervention to address the situation.
He also appealed to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to intervene toward their immediate resettlement, adding that many families had been rendered homeless.
“As you can see, these people are homeless. Where are they going to sleep today?” No warning, no compensation.
“If you want to relocate people who live here, first thing, compensate them. If you don’t want them here, give them an alternative.
“With Gbagyi people, the name Karsana is important,” he said.
The council boss noted that the demolition was carried out without prior warning, court notice or compensation.
He vowed that no construction work would take place on the disputed site until the displaced residents are compensated and resettled.
“The developer acted outside due process and ignored community rights. If you want to relocate people, the first thing, compensate them. If you don’t want them here, give them an alternative.
“Get them somewhere, build houses and relocate them. But you destroyed the houses, they have nowhere to sleep and you are comfortable. It is unfair. We are all Nigerians.
“We cannot continue like this in this country. The federal government has to intervene in this case,” he said.
The community’s youth secretary, Mr Dikko Jezhi recounted the trauma that the people have been subjected to due to the demolition, noting that they have nowhere to go at the moment.
“Residents were at work when their homes were demolished with police escort. Families had no advance notice and lost all possessions.
“Generations of indigenous families, including the elderly, are now left stranded.
“I asked my mother yesterday if she had another state aside from this, and she replied no. Even her grandfather, this was where he was born.
“So we don’t know where to go. They have demolished our houses. Our properties are down.
“They have been pushing the indigenous people to the wall. We won’t react because this is our father’s land,” Jezhi.
