FCT: Obi Decries Demolition of 200 Homes for Presidential Air Fleet, Says It’s Anti People

 • Doubts sincerity of government on the 50 per cent reduction in transport fare

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the February 25, 2023 election, Peter Obi, has decried the planned demolition of about 200 houses to pave the way for the Presidential Air Fleet.

Obi said in his X-handle  that the planned demolition to pave way for the Presidential Fleet is anti-people as it did not consider the plight of poor citizens whose welfare should take precedence over other considerations.

The former Anambra State governor stated Nigeria, which the World Bank just confirmed has over 100 million citizens in poverty should avoid any policy that could aggravate the situation.

According to Obi,“I am shocked by the recent report of the planned demolition of about 200 houses in the Nuwalege community in Abuja, to make way for the Presidential Fleet.

“I am again pained that we are embarking on such an inconsiderate project at this critical time when the country is going through untold hardship. I would like to reiterate that at this time, our preoccupation should be how to do away with the Presidential fleet or reduce it to the minimum, to cut costs and save up for more critical projects to help the people, instead of demolishing people’s homes.

“A country where the World Bank announced that over 100 million citizens are being pushed into poverty, should not at this time be sending hundreds of people into homelessness to accommodate the Presidential fleet of luxury aircraft. We need to focus instead on how to lessen the pain and suffering of poor people.

“We cannot continue to encourage those who have kept us suffering to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle far beyond our legitimate means. A democratically elected people-oriented government must always care for the people, above itself.

“I, therefore, advise that we have a rethink, and most importantly, ensure that our fellow Nigerians are not rendered homeless for the sake of an unproductive presidential fleet.

“We should rather focus on helping the people and developing our critical sectors for the sake of our national peace, progress, and development. No nation grows or develops by subjecting the people to avoidable inconveniences to accommodate the luxurious excesses of its rulers,” Obi stated.

Also, Obi doubted the sincerity of the federal government in announcing some largesse for commuters across the country as part of the yuletide.

 In his X-handle platform, Obi said  “I read the reports of the President’s approval of a 50 per cent slash in the price of interstate transport fare for Nigerians traveling during this Yuletide from Thursday 21, 2023 to January 4, 2024. The news reports added that the President also approved free rides for commuters on all train services within the period.

“If fully implemented, as reported, I consider this first-time intervention of the government, intended to help the masses, a step in the right direction. However, the major concern about such emergency measures is what follows afterward. The high cost of transportation and associated hardships are all well known. The question this seasonal palliative raises is that of what happens after the festive season. Is there a sustainable policy measure to cushion the masses from the current high transportation costs?

“Even the current effort comes with operational challenges. Millions of people have already traveled bearing the brunt and huge costs of such travels. How will such people get their refunds or be compensated? “Following the government’s announcement of a 50 per cent discount on interstate transport fare for Nigerians, I have taken time to inquire into the implementation mechanics across different cities but I have been disappointed.

“Today, I sent out contractors who consulted widely with the transporters in major parks across the country: in Abuja, they carried out an on-the-spot investigation in Jabi/Utako areas; in Lagos, they visited major parks like Jibowu, Festac, Mile 12, Ajah, and Mazamaza and none of the transporters in these parks was aware of this 50 per cent discount. At Upper Iweka, Onitsha, which is the main traffic hub in Anambra, and in other parts of the country like; Kano, Aba, Kaduna, Owerri, and Gombe, the story is the same.

“The government has again announced the few transport companies chosen to participate in the intervention for which 28 Routes have been designated.

“There are no announced forms of checks and balances to ensure that the transporters follow the terms of the contract.

“There are obvious questions about the integrity of this intervention effort. One expects that such a policy that strives to appeal to the broad masses, especially the downtrodden, deliberate and concrete arrangements should be made, with transport companies.

“I pray that this is not yet another spin to curry favor in the media space after appetising the people. The Nigerian people are going through untold hardship and the government must not remain insensitive to their sufferings.

“Compassion on the part of the government is a good thing, but it should not be an avenue for exploiting the weak structures of government to encourage less-than-transparent policy implementation,” he stated.