Abuja community battles FCDA over demolition of houses in FCT

Clement Okpani |

Residents of kpana village woke up on Monday morning to see a convoy of bulldozers on a demolition exercise. Kpana village is located along Solomon Lar way, beside EDA plaza Jabi, close to Chida Hotel, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Mr. Musa who is an indigene of the area narrated how people who meet them there tried to displace them without any alternative. He explained how lack of education affected his people and the reason behind the continuous demolition exercise in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Musa said that the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) has taken over their farmlands which are their means of livehood. He said that even the chief of Kpana village was not consulted before carrying out the demolition exercise. He described such attitude as impunity and neglect of the fundamental human right of the citizenry. He could not control his emotion as  he burst into tears while narrating his experience because his shop was affected. The chief of Kpana village was moody as he muttered to himself when this reporter approached him for comment. Musa explained how the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) officials left with their bulldozer with the understanding that the community will visit the Director of the FCDA on Thursday this week.
A resident, Steven kalu narrated how the villagers reacted bitterly.

He said that the villagers revolted against the officials of FCDA and the security personnel who accompanied the officials to the demolition exercise. He painted a picture of how an aged woman threw herself at the bulldozer and told the operator to crush her  to death since all she had left had been taken from her. The action of the aged woman drew sympathy from the people, after they realised that the woman  had no other place to go. Kalu said that the aged woman refused to stand up from the ground even when the officials were discussing with the Chief to know the next line of action.

The scenario was more of tension and anxiety, he said. He noted that the discussion between the FCDA officials and the villagers was inconclusive. r. The  scenario was  a genuine struggle for the people’s  fundamental human right. Kalu said he took part in the protest against the demolition because his people were cheated and oppressed unjustly.
Paul who owns a barbing salon at kpana village said that the place is not safe because of its location within the city centre.

He said that the village is surrounded by beautiful mansions hence the need for relocation. He called on the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and the villagers to sheath their swords for the interest of peace and development. The FCDA said the villagers were given land to resettle but they refused to move, hence the demolition.
Another resident, Prince Orji spoke about lack of  social amenities in  the village. He said that the people access hospitals that are far from the village. He wondered what will happen to a pregnant woman who is in a serious labor or a life- threatening situation. Orji said that the villagers go to nearby market  to buy food items. He was uncertain whether the villagers would continue to live or stay there for a longer time. Mrs. Gloria and Mrs. Eucharia who run provision store and restaurant there were not happy that such unfortunate incident happened to them at the time they are struggling to sustain their families and business.

They call for a truce between the FCDA and the people to avert breakdown of law and order , which could bring further hardship. Effort to speak to the FCDA officials was unsuccessful as none of them was ready or willing to talk to this reporter. Although, a source has it that they told the Chief that the land belongs to the government. The FCDA officials said that the villagers are selling the land out to the people. They said that the information prompted their movement to Kpana village.