Rights group faults government over demolition of shops

A civil rights group in Nigeria, the Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) has faulted the ongoing demolition of shops and stores along Oron Road, Udo Udoma Avenue, particularly at the traffic light area, and other areas within the Uyo metropolis by personnel of the Uyo Capital City Development Authority (UCCDA) on Tuesday, 5th March 2024, accusing the Pastor Umo Eno-led Government of Akwa Ibom State of being insensitive to the hardship and sufferings of Akwa Ibom people.

This assertion was contained in a press release issued by the group on Tuesday, 5th March 2024, signed by its Director and Secretary, Otuekong Franklyn Isong and Barr. Christopher Ekpo, respectively, and made available to newsmen in Uyo.

The CHRAN stated that the State Government should have first provided alternative locations and shops for the affected shop owners before pulling down the shops, which, according to the CHRAN, served as the only means of livelihood for the affected traders.

The CHRAN noted that if the officials of government had the interest of the downtrodden and the long-suffering masses of Akwa Ibom State at heart, they would have considered embarking on such a swift demolition exercise at this critical time of the country’s economic downturn, would be counterproductive as it would further aggravate the high level of unemployment and push many more families into hardship.

The CHRAN called for a halt to the demolition exercise, stating that it could be perceived generally as a heartless exercise by the Umo Eno-led administration.

The CHRAN urged the Akwa Ibom State Government to mitigate the plight of the affected traders by paying compensation to all those whose goods and shops were destroyed during the inhumane exercise by the UCCDA.