By Audu Liberty Oseni
The Federal Capital Territory Administration continues to rely on the restoration of Abuja master plan as a justification to carry out demolition and forced eviction. This government behaviour has resulted in the forced eviction of a greater number of persons from their homes. For instance, between 2003 and 2008, the Abuja authority demolished homes and evicted more than 800,000 inhabitants from their homes in the communities of Mpape, Dantata, Old Karimo, Jabi/Kado, Chika, Idu Karimo, Kubwa, and Dei-Dei without adequate compensation and alternative settlement.
It is not the best practice for Abuja authorities to continue to rely on a master plan designed in 1979 as a justification to carry out demolitions and forced eviction that have rendered many homeless, created huge poverty and social disconnection.
We have seen the reality in urban dynamics. Abuja is witnessing a population explosion, a geometrical rise of informal settlements, social, economic, and environmental changes that were not envisaged by the Master Plan.
Therefore, the Abuja authority referring to the “restoration of the master plan” as a justification to carry out demolition exercises that have resulted in the displacement of many from their home without adequate alternative settlement is state failure and an abuse of citizens’ right to adequate housing.
We must introduce a reform that will address this challenge. That should be the “Abuja Strategic Urban Development Plan”. This reform is urgently needed to address Abuja’s present-day realities, which include citizens’ rights to adequate housing, access to basic infrastructure, and environmental sustainability.
Abuja authorities should know that planning is an evolving process. Implementing a master plan designed approximately 50 years ago cannot be suitable for the present FCT.
In designing the proposed reform, Abuja authorities must deploy a participatory communication approach that will facilitate active citizens’ involvement in its discussion and implementation. This is fundamental because citizens must actively participate in decision-making and solution on issues affecting them.
Communication is not only about information dissemination but also the active involvement of people in issues affecting them, making participatory communication fundamental in the “Abuja Strategic Urban Development Plan”.
•Audu Liberty Oseni
Director, MAWA-Foundation
