The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN,
has kicked against plans by the Borno State
Government to demolish over 20 churches
and schools in the state.
It has been gathered that the demolition
exercise would begin any moment from
now.
Our findings revealed that the state
government had already served a notice to
the leadership of the Christian Association
of Nigeria, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria
and owners of farmlands in the area,
informing them of the government’s plan to
acquire the site for a 1000 housing units.
The notice was contained in 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.
The leaflet was entitled, ‘Notice of
acquisition and assessment/evaluation of
structures on proposed site for 1000
Housing Units along Gubio Road Highway.’
It reads thus, “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 plot
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.”
The General Secretary of CAN, Dr. Musa
Asake, who confirmed the sad development
called on the Borno State Government to
have a second thought.
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.”
Asake vowed that CAN would take up the
matter with Borno State Government as
soon as it was confirmed that the letter
actually came from the government.
has kicked against plans by the Borno State
Government to demolish over 20 churches
and schools in the state.
It has been gathered that the demolition
exercise would begin any moment from
now.
Our findings revealed that the state
government had already served a notice to
the leadership of the Christian Association
of Nigeria, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria
and owners of farmlands in the area,
informing them of the government’s plan to
acquire the site for a 1000 housing units.
The notice was contained in 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.
The leaflet was entitled, ‘Notice of
acquisition and assessment/evaluation of
structures on proposed site for 1000
Housing Units along Gubio Road Highway.’
It reads thus, “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 plot
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.”
The General Secretary of CAN, Dr. Musa
Asake, who confirmed the sad development
called on the Borno State Government to
have a second thought.
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.”
Asake vowed that CAN would take up the
matter with Borno State Government as
soon as it was confirmed that the letter
actually came from the government.
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