Nigeria: Thousands rendered homeless with slum clearance

Last updated on March 3rd, 2022 at 07:35 am

NIgeria – January 30 will be remembered as a fateful day for hundreds of Nigerians living in slums in Urualla, Port Harcourt. They woke up to bulldozers rolling over their homes and by end of the day they were left homeless with their belongings lost. This was part of the government’s orders to clear the waterfront slums in cities in southern Nigeria. What followed over the next six days was horrific – more than 15,000 families spread across eight slum communities were destroyed in the city’s Diobu area. Three more neighborhoods have been earmarked by authorities for removal.

The government has explained the move aimed at stopping illegal production as well as the sale of paraffin and diesel.

“We are refugees in our own state. Rain fell yesterday and all my belongings were drenched. You can imagine a woman who has not had her bath for a week because she has nowhere to do so,” said Diobu resident Mary Prince, wiping tears from her face. “We woke up to the sight of bulldozers. We weren’t even allowed to salvage anything. Before we knew what was happening, we were rendered homeless. It was pathetic.”

Related Posts

The state commissioner for information, Paulinus Nsirim, said in a statement that the Nigerian government is determined to “sanitize the waterfronts by removing all shanties and most especially, continue with its frontal and hugely successful war to rid the state of criminals and undesirable elements who have transformed these waterfronts into a den of thieves”.

Megan Chapman, co-director of Justice and Empowerment Initiatives (JEI), an advocacy group in Port Harcourt, said the move “can only be seen as a land grab. There is no other explanation for it”. She added, “Presumed criminality doesn’t justify demolition. They should do their investigation and arrest the people responsible, charge them to court and prosecute them for the offenses committed.”

The Nigerian law states that people in such situations must receive compensation or another place to live if the federal government has acquired their land.

fatima

Recent Posts

Africa’s Green Hydrogen Revolution: A Path to Energy Independence

Recent research shows that Professor Abdessamad Faik believes Africa is at an important energy choice point as renewable-powered hydrogen allows…

March 18, 2025

US Threatens to Close Johannesburg Consulate Over Street Renaming

The United States plans to shut down its Johannesburg consulate after Sandton Drive gets renamed to Leila Khaled Drive even…

March 18, 2025

Africa’s Green Energy Push Aims to Electrify 570 Million Lives

The push toward renewable energy in Africa helps the 570 million people who currently live without reliable power access. Many…

March 17, 2025

Algeria Ramps Up Final Preparations for IATF2025 Trade Fair

The Algerian government prepares the hosting facilities for the Intra-African Trade Fair 2025, which will open its doors on September…

March 17, 2025

Laura Wolvaardt Calls for More Women’s Test Matches

South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt wants cricket authorities to arrange more Test matches for women because Test cricket represents the…

March 16, 2025

Trump Administration Expels South African Ambassador Over Critical Comments

The United States issued Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool a one-way travel ticket from South Africa to show decreasing trust between the…

March 15, 2025

This website uses cookies.