The Borno State Government has begun moves to demolish over 20 churches and schools built by them.
Our correspondent gathered on Sunday that the state government would embark on the demolition exercise any moment from now.
Sources hinted that the state government
had already dispatched a notice to the leadership of the Christian
Association of Nigeria, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and owners of
farmlands in the area intimating them of the plan to acquire the site
for a 1000 housing units.
A leaflet from the office of the Borno
State Ministry of Lands and Survey dated August 20 and signed by one
Musa Ummate (O/C Land Administration) on behalf of the commissioner was
obtained by journalists on Sunday in Abuja.
The leaflet is titled, ‘Notice of
acquisition and assessment/valuation of structures on proposed site for
1000 Housing Units along Gubio Road Highway.’
It reads: “I am directed to refer to you
farmers and holders of structures on the proposed site for caption
matter above and regret to inform you that the Executive Governor has,
on the power conferred on him by Section (2)b of the Land Use Act 1978,
directed through high powered committee on Construction Ref. no:
HPCC/2500/HE/S/TEC/1 to notify you of his intention to acquire your farm
lands and assessment/valuation of the structures on the proposed site
situated along Gubio Road, Maiduguri.
“The acquisition is necessary in view of
requirements of the land acquisition by the state government for
overriding public interest to construct a Housing Esate. The affected
farmers and holders of structures are to take note and appear on site
for the above exercise, please.”
But a CAN source said, “Over 20 churches
and many schools will be affected. The parcels of land on which the
churches were built were bought from farmers and have the authority and
certificate of the District Head in Maiduguri popularly called Bulama. The land was not under the ministry when it was bought.”
When contacted, the General Secretary of
CAN, Dr. Musa Asake, confirmed the development but called on the Borno
State Government to have a rethink.
He said, “We have seen that eviction
notice from the Borno State Government. We are all Nigerians and there
are other places where the state government can develop. The areas being
earmarked for demolition are already developed with churches and
schools.
“We have enough problems at hand and we
don’t want to add another one. Christians have suffered enough in Borno
State. If the state government wants to destroy churches and build any
housing estate, no Christian will see it as a sign of progress.”
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