By Nse Peter
Several buildings were on Tuesday pulled down along the
Airport Road, around Ekpene Ukim village, Uruan local government areas of Akwa
Ibom State on the orders of Governor Udom Emmanuel.
Government officials who came with about 20 soldiers said
the houses were constructed without permission from the state government. Think Akwa Ibom! couldn’t confirm if the
demolition was done by the Uyo Capital City Development Authority or another
department of the Akwa Ibom State government, as the government officials
refused to say which department they belong.
“There’s no point asking us which ministry or government
department is involved, what you should be asking is whether we are authorized by
government to do it. Yes, I can tell you that the governor is aware of it and
has approved of it. Please I think you should be satisfied with that,” one of
the officials who refused to mention his name told Think Akwa Ibom!
Think Akwa Ibom!
correspondent who witnessed the demolition reports that the exercise affected
houses built within 60 metres from the edge of each side of the road leading to
the Akwa Ibom International Airport. Bulldozer guarded by gun-wielding soldiers
was seen reducing structures into rubbles, while several villagers, including
women and children, cried and begged helplessly.
Curiously, one beautiful structure which houses the Akpabio
Centre for Leadership Development (aka Akpabiosm) was not pull down by the government
agents, even though it was within 60 metres from the edge of the road.
“The houses around here belong to low-income earners and
poor villagers from the area (Uruan),” a traumatised villager told Think Akwa Ibom! “This is one of the saddest
days ever in our lives. Where do they want us to go from here?”
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| A family watched helplessly at the debris of what used to be their home |
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| One of the affected structures |
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| Helpless villagers |
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| Helpless villagers watched from a distance as bulldozers pulled down their houses |
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| 'Akpabiosm' Centre is 'untouchable' |
The demolition of buildings in Ekpene Ukim village in Uruan Local Government Area as authorized by the administration of Gov. Emmanuel Udom appears to be an inhumane act. It only begs the questions: Did the government provide alternative housing facilities or accommodations to resettle or relocate the displaced homeowners? Did the government give ample notice to the villagers? Did the government demolish the buildings as a grand development scheme for the people of Ekpene Ukim village?
ReplyDeleteIf these questions are the impetus that prompted the state government to resort to bulldozing buildings, then the government has the urgent obligation to resettle the affected villagers and their families immediately.
Leaving these displaced citizens to find or build new homes for themselves and their families, especially the children, without government support will tantamount to a crime committed by Akwa Ibom State government against a segment of its citizens.
I hope the government's action was not driven by political motive to punish those who did not vote for the PDP candidates during the last election.