Borno Govt plans to demolish churches,christian-owned schools!!!

The Borno State Government has planned to demolish over 20 churches and christian-owned   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 served a notice to the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria 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.”

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 Christians went for the meeting called by the governor and for several hours, the governor didn’t come out to see them. It is always difficult for Christians to get a land in Maiduguri. Even after getting the land, the government won’t give you Certificate of Occupancy.

They compensated Borno Muslims who are victims of Boko Haram. But how many Christians were compensated?”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.

“We condemn the action and I think government should be sensitive to what the Christians in that state are going through not to come and add another problem, through demolition.

“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.”

Although, Asake disclosed that they had not been able to authenticate the source of the letter, he added “we are going to reach out to the state government to make sure that Christians don’t lose their churches and lands.

“But we have no reason to doubt the source of the letter. We have suffered enough in Borno State and enough of all these things which are coming in another disguise.

“Borno State government should reconsider the decision to demolish churches and property because in Borno State, there are many vast lands. They should do that instead of going to these areas where Christians have settled. We are asking the Borno State government not to try it.

The Borno State Government has planned to demolish over 20 churches and christian-owned   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 served a notice to the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria 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.”

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 Christians went for the meeting called by the governor and for several hours, the governor didn’t come out to see them. It is always difficult for Christians to get a land in Maiduguri. Even after getting the land, the government won’t give you Certificate of Occupancy.

They compensated Borno Muslims who are victims of Boko Haram. But how many Christians were compensated?”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.

“We condemn the action and I think government should be sensitive to what the Christians in that state are going through not to come and add another problem, through demolition.

“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.”

Although, Asake disclosed that they had not been able to authenticate the source of the letter, he added “we are going to reach out to the state government to make sure that Christians don’t lose their churches and lands.

“But we have no reason to doubt the source of the letter. We have suffered enough in Borno State and enough of all these things which are coming in another disguise.

“Borno State government should reconsider the decision to demolish churches and property because in Borno State, there are many vast lands. They should do that instead of going to these areas where Christians have settled. We are asking the Borno State government not to try it.