The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), South East Zone, has called on the Enugu State Government to thread with caution and exercise restraint in the ongoing demolition of alleged illegal structures in the capital territory.

The rights group also called on the Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi administration to closely monitor the activities of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA) “to ensure that they don’t overstep their boundaries, engage in human rights violations or corrupt practices.”

A statement on Wednesday by the foremost rights group said: “The above submissions of the CLO South East Zone becomes imperative owing to series of complaints and ugly stories pouring into the information box of the organisation over the activities of ECTDA in recent times.

“Residents of Enugu were given an unpalatable New Year gift by ECTDA who carried out demolitions in several parts of the city like Independent layout, New Haven, Trans Ekulu, Artisan, Kenyatta Market, GRA and some others.

“Some poor traders were displaced from their points of business locations while others lost their buildings, properties and goods to the demolition exercise. There were also reports of brutality meted on the hapless citizens by thugs allegedly engaged by the ECTDA.

“Agreed that it is of prime importance to restore the City Master Plan of Enugu and also maintain the aesthetic beauty of the Coal City but such activities should be carried out with human face, respect for the citizen’s human rights, dignity and consideration for the plight of the victims going forward.

“In carrying out its assigned roles and duties, ECTDA seems to be selective instead of holistic. If there is a commitment to restore Enugu’s original Master Plan, the exercise should be holistic and not selective. There are several areas in Enugu capital city including the historical Enugu Zoo which has been sold out to private developers and private buildings erected therein.

“There have been reports also of indiscriminate annexation, balkanization and excising of lands in public institutions in Enugu, now sold out to private developers and structures erected therein, without recourse to the original Master Plan of the city.

“It is also a settled maxim in the public parlance that “he who goes to equity must come with clean hands”. Years back, the popular Onoh Quarters in Enugu GRA was occupied fully by residents and tenants who maintained their tenement fees and rents.

“But at a time, the present helmsman in charge of affairs at ECTDA, Joseph Umunnakwe Ken Onoh, allegedly ejected some tenants in the quarters forcefully, knocked down some buildings in the residential quarters and built an entertainment centre and lounge in the quarters. Today, the twin lodge and entertainment centre still stands among the residential quarters with its accompanying noise and disturbance to the residents.

“CLO also calls on the Enugu State Governor to look into the outrageous Vetting Fees scheduled by ECTDA released on 31st December 2019. According to the release, Developers for Bungalows are to pay N250,000, Duplex – N350,000, Block of flats – N750, 000. Hotels are to pay between N1.5 million to N10,000,000 depending on the number of rooms even as filling stations, shopping malls and schools have been pegged at between N2M to N2.5M.

“Offices, hospitals, hostels, banks, telecommunication masts and markets also have their own stipulated fees ranging from N3M to N5M.

“Agreed that government needs to shore up its revenue base in order to meet up with its financial obligations, but there is need to take into consideration the existential realities on ground and living conditions of the citizens before certain levies are imposed on them.

“Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi enjoys input legitimacy more than all other governors of the five South East states going by the resounding support his mandate received across different parts of the state both in his first and second tenure elections.

“It was a mass movement as the masses stood by him and freely gave him the mandate at the polls in an unprecedented manner. For this reason alone, all actions of the administration should be pro-masses at all times.

“It should also be noted that the bulk of the masses who voted for him cannot enjoy any other personal benefits from the administration other than making their living conditions better through the provision of amenities and ensuring that high cost of living doesn’t spiral out of control.

“When certain government actions tend to displace them and make them loose their bearing, it touches the marrows and sends a very serious wrong signal.

“We therefore call on the government to review its demolition strategy, review also the vetting fees and ensure that the ECTDA activities are not carried out in an insensitive manner.

“The low income earners and the rich should co-exist in Enugu city. Anything that touches on the sensibilities of the masses and the lowly should be handled with caution, consideration for their welfare with palliatives and alternative arrangements put in place.”

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