Agu-Owa Community in Enugu for demolition

2 months ago

An informal settlement known as Agu- Owa Community in Trans Ekulu, Enugu metropolis has been marked for demolition by the Enugu State Government. According to the residents, the Government said the community which has about 5000 residents is a slum and must be demolished.

In a July 5 2024 letter titled “Notice for Housing Upgrade and the Urgent Need for Relocation of Residents at Agu-Owa Community in Trans Ekulu Enugu” by the Ministry of Housing, residents were directed to submit all authentic papers relating to their ownership of the properties in the settlement to the Office of the Commissioner within four weeks for verification.

The letter said further that the State Governor has approved the immediate construction of a new housing estate for the residents and that their relocation would take effect by end of September 2024.

But the residents have disagreed with the government and gone to court to seek redress, accusing the government of failure to properly consult them and follow due process in its bid to acquire their land.

The last paragraph of the Quit Notice seems to corroborate the residents’ position that rather than follow due process, the Government is resorting to arbitrary use of state power to evict them from their abodes.

The paragraph reads: “Please also be informed that the State Government would not hesitate to deal otherwise (sic) with any form of unnecessary clumsiness and delays to frustrate this laudable policy objectives (sic). All concerned are therefore expected to act in compliance with this order.”

The threat in this Notice would be unnecessary had a mutual agreement been reached with the residents on the matter.