Weekly Trust

Why Lugbe should not be demolished

I would like to comment on the current hullabaloo over the proposed demolition of Lugbe, a satellite community along Airport Road, Abuja by the FCDA. Lugbe with a population of over 1.7 million residents accommodates middle-level civil servants and low income earners from the private and public sectors.

It has become a community with over 250,000 school children. If the threat by the government is carried out, it means the 250,000 school children’s education would be jeopardised. The fact is obvious for all to see that some parents who might not be able to secure alternative accommodations  might be forced to stop their children from going to school until they are stable. Children who are unlucky may not be able to attend school again for a very long time to come. Lugbe also has over nine standard hotels that employ some 25,000 workers. The community is host to over 10,000 artisans and traders of various vocations. In the light of the above, it would be callous for any responsible government that cares for the wellbeing of its citizens to just send bulldozers to destroy a sprawling settlement like that, giving the residents just one month notice. The authorities concerned should please have a rethink about the proposed demolition. I believe there are viable options that would bring about amicable settlement of the matter.

HRH Eze Okonkwo, Lugbe Airport Road, Abuja.

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Articles

Why Lugbe should not be demolished

I would like to comment on the current hullabaloo over the proposed demolition of Lugbe, a satellite community along Airport Road, Abuja by the FCDA. Lugbe with a population of over 1.7 million residents accommodates middle-level civil servants and low income earners from the private and public sectors.

It has become a community with over 250,000 school children. If the threat by the government is carried out, it means the 250,000 school children’s education would be jeopardised. The fact is obvious for all to see that some parents who might not be able to secure alternative accommodations  might be forced to stop their children from going to school until they are stable. Children who are unlucky may not be able to attend school again for a very long time to come. Lugbe also has over nine standard hotels that employ some 25,000 workers. The community is host to over 10,000 artisans and traders of various vocations. In the light of the above, it would be callous for any responsible government that cares for the wellbeing of its citizens to just send bulldozers to destroy a sprawling settlement like that, giving the residents just one month notice. The authorities concerned should please have a rethink about the proposed demolition. I believe there are viable options that would bring about amicable settlement of the matter.

HRH Eze Okonkwo, Lugbe Airport Road, Abuja.

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