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| Senate Intervenes to Halt Abuja Property Demolitions |
If you have been around, you must have heard that there has been a lot of activity as far as the demolition of properties in Abuja is concerned. These are not small-scale demolitions in any way; it is reported that entire businesses are being disrupted. On Thursday, the Senate said no more. They demanded the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to stop all the ongoing demolition in Abuja, and this was not a request.
The decision followed heated discussions on the Senate floor, where concerns about alleged irregularities and the human toll of these demolitions took centre stage. Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the FCT, raised a motion that laid out the frustrations of those affected. The people have lost their houses and their sources of income, and, in some cases, even their trust in the system. It is therefore not difficult to understand why.
Backed by Senator Natasha Akpabio-Uduaghan, the motion gained swift support. Senate President Godswill Akpabio didn’t mince words when summarizing the resolution. He stressed that no further demolitions should take place unless ordered by a court. This wasn’t just about halting bulldozers—it was about restoring order and ensuring the rule of law prevails.
But it doesn’t stop there. The Senate has also formed an ad loco committee. To this committee, which is headed by Deputy Senate President Jibrin committee, Barau has two weeks only to complete its demolition work. The legal merits are expected to establish the actions, the causes, and the crisis. Of the It steps would or would be rather safe to say lack that of they it has that a culminated very them. Daunting task ahead of
Now, this first is the time where those things property starts rights to and get urban a little more complicated. Asan This anyone eyebrow can be found in by remembering, Abuja residents, for means have been long victims of actions government that decisions could urban be growth, deemed and perhaps, irrational.
Although the government is reclaiming the land, demolitions that were carried out illegally were allocated, and the effects are devastating. People lose their homes, enterprises cease operations, and the psychological impact? That’s something that doesn’t heal in a hurry.
The FCT administration headed by Minister Wike has also justified the demolitions as being necessary to enforce order and abide by the master plan of Abuja. However, some have criticized the process as being without proper direction and with little concern for people’s needs. Who has the authority to determine which of these properties should be left in place and which ones should be removed? Is every party affected by these decisions provided with an equal opportunity to question them? These are the questions that the committee will have to resolve.
This means that the decision to suspend the demolitions is a small light in the darkness for the residents. It is a way to restart the process and think about it once more. But let's be honest, this is a breather. It is yet unclear if it will bring positive change or simply postpone the predictable outcome.
Let’s be quiet; this is not a question of bricks and mortar. It is about people, it is about justice, and it is about the type of city Abuja wants to be. This means that the Senate’s intervention shows that these issues can be dealt with effectively, but there is pressure to deliver. After all, it is very easy to pass resolutions, but it is not easy to guarantee that such resolutions will bring about positive and concrete change.
Therefore, as the committee gets to work, we are left with more questions than answers. In this case, will this intervention herald the start of a new and more humane and just approach to urban development in Abuja, or is it a mere plaster on a sore? Only time will tell.
The FCT administration headed by Minister Wike has also justified the demolitions as being necessary to enforce order and abide by the master plan of Abuja. However, some have criticized the process as being without proper direction and with little concern for people’s needs. Who has the authority to determine which of these properties should be left in place and which ones should be removed? Is every party affected by these decisions provided with an equal opportunity to question them? These are the questions that the committee will have to resolve.
This means that the decision to suspend the demolitions is a small light in the darkness for the residents. It is a way to restart the process and think about it once more. But let's be honest, this is a breather. It is yet unclear if it will bring positive change or simply postpone the predictable outcome.
Let’s be quiet; this is not a question of bricks and mortar. It is about people, it is about justice, and it is about the type of city Abuja wants to be. This means that the Senate’s intervention shows that these issues can be dealt with effectively, but there is pressure to deliver. After all, it is very easy to pass resolutions, but it is not easy to guarantee that such resolutions will bring about positive and concrete change.
Therefore, as the committee gets to work, we are left with more questions than answers. In this case, will this intervention herald the start of a new and more humane and just approach to urban development in Abuja, or is it a mere plaster on a sore? Only time will tell.