Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor
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.
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