Landlords laments demolition of houses without notice in Abia
Some landlords in Alaoji Ogbodudu in Umuana Ndume Ibeku, Abia state have expressed sadness over the demolition of their houses by the state government through the Umuahia Capital Development Authority, alleging that there was no court order backing the demolition.
A resident identifed as Mr.ogbu Cyril, said there were given a two day notice before the commencement of the exercise.
He alleged that the government action was a violation of their fundamental human right, adding that they all acquired their property through the legal means.
He said, “We bought our properties with allocation papers and before we start building, we also went to Umuahia Capital Development Authority to register our buildings, but they came last Saturday to inform us that they’re going to demolish our building, then today been August 17 and started demolishing our property.
“Our Allocation papers were gotten from the ministry of lands, I see no reason for forcefully evicting us from our houses which we acquired legally.
“They have demolished some part of a one story building and brought down so many fences, gates of some empty lands which were fenced”.
But during the exercise, the Manager, UCDA, Mr Kingsley Agomoh, said the exercise was part of government’s efforts to reclaim land belonging to Government College Umuahia encroached upon by private individuals.
He explained that the state government handed over the Government College Umuahia to the Old Boys with a Certificate of Occupancy, and wondered why some individuals will embark on selling government land and stressed the need for people to properly inquire before purchasing plots of land.
Agomoh explained that the occupants of the encroached land were duly served before the demolition, pointing out that the structures still standing on the encroached areas now belong to the government College Umuahia.
Also Speaking, The Chairman Umuana Ndume lbeku, Mr Friday Ohaeri explained that the encroached land belongs to Government College Umuahia, pointing out that their forefathers voluntarily donated the land to the government.
He pointed out that those who encroached on the land did so for selfish interests not on behalf of the Umuana Community.