By Luminous Jannamike
ABUJA – Nigeria’s capital was tense yesterday as Nigerians within the diaspora and civil society activists staged a protest on the Ministry of Works, accusing the Federal Authorities of disobeying a courtroom order associated to the Lagos-Calabar coastal freeway mission.
The protesters demanded justice, truthful compensation for demolished properties, and the discharge of a citizen allegedly arrested through the demolition train.
Led by activists Declan Ihekaire and Shina Loremikan, the protest drew a big crowd. Many carried placards with messages reminiscent of ‘From glory to gory’ and ‘Justice for property house owners.’
They accused the Ministry of Works of demolishing buildings with out offering compensation and ignoring a courtroom ruling that had ordered a halt to additional work on the mission.
“We’re right here to demand justice for Nigerians whose properties have been demolished with out compensation. The federal government can not proceed to ignore the rule of legislation,” mentioned Declan Ihekaire.
The protesters mentioned the demolition of properties with legitimate Certificates of Occupancy (C of O), with out truthful compensation, had discouraged Nigerians within the diaspora from investing within the nation.
In addition they demanded the instant launch of Ola Ubanla, who was reportedly arrested by safety operatives through the demolition.
“How do you persuade Nigerians to come back from abroad and spend money on the nation, solely to demolish their properties with out compensation? It is a case of giving and taking away,” Ihekaire added.
They additional accused the Ministry of Works of defying a courtroom order that had stopped additional work on the Lagos-Calabar freeway, warning that this units a harmful instance.
“We’re shocked that the ministry went towards the courtroom. The place are we on this nation? Ministers and parastatals disobeying the judiciary? We’re heading in the direction of anarchy,” Ihekaire mentioned.
Along with compensation, the protesters known as on the Nationwide Meeting to intervene and launch a probe into the matter.
“We have the funds for to compensate these whose properties have been taken away. Just some days in the past, our Tremendous Falcons have been paid tens of millions of Naira for his or her efficiency. If we will admire them, we also needs to compensate these whose properties have been demolished,” mentioned Shina Loremikan.
The protesters vowed to proceed their marketing campaign till their calls for are met.
“We is not going to relent on this protest. The voice of the plenty have to be heard. We’ll march on the streets once more if crucial,” mentioned Ihekaire.
As of the time of this report, neither the Minister of Works nor any senior official had responded to the protest or addressed the press.
The publish Lagos-Calabar Highway: Protest rocks Abuja over FG’s alleged disregard of court order appeared first on Vanguard News.
