OUT OF THE
DARKNESS!
A
candid account from the frontline of the property market! Caroline Adeola Akinlotan info@rsgproperty.com, rsgproperty@gmail.com
0803 2516955, 0702 9590667
Monday
Is it my imagination, or have I noticed an
improvement in our power supply? Certainly the Island/Lekki axis seems to be
having longer supply of electricity. Less diesel was ordered on estates, in the
last couple of weeks Am sure this will be good news for residents who have been
paying astronomical amounts to service generators. The Minister of Power has
promised an increase in power generation starting from July 2012, It seems he
is keeping his word I hope it is a continuous and permanent improvement to all
areas
Tuesday
Still on the
issue of power supply, Whilst Nigeria battles with providing electricity to its
150 million people, India lost power supply to over 600 million of its
population this week, that is roughly half of its total population! The country
was thrown into chaos when
Wednesday
The Makoko waterside shanty community which
has been built up over a number of years on the waterside in Yaba, has been
finally demolished. Hundreds of thousands of people have been made homeless
without a thought about relocating or providing alternative accommodation for
them. A few months ago I wrote about the threats to demolish this community
when a senior state official said in the press that “he did not care where they
went to, they should just move themselves away from the area” At the time I had
dared to venture into that community for some charity work and I was appalled
at the sanitary conditions, or should I say, the lack of it. Therefore the
community does need help. I am dismayed though it has been so ruthlessly
demolished without a thought for alternative housing for them. Where will all
these people go?
Thursday
In the process of demolishing the shanties
of Makoko, some children unfortunately lost their lives in the chaos that
followed the officials moving in with their bulldozers. A community leader was
also killed in the process. It is sad that lives were lost and from news that
has been published, no plans have been made for these displaced residents and
their numerous children. The State Government should step in to ensure the safe
resettlement of these people, although it may unfortunately be too late for some.
Friday
It is highly
amusing to hear about land tussle cases that go on in Nigeria, some border on
the ridiculous and others sound like comedy sketches. I was reading with my
eyes wide open, the land dispute going on in an Abuja high court between two
“very very very” important women. One of the women was given an allocation of
prime land with Right of Occupancy for her NGO a few years ago. Development
started on the land in late 2011 during which a backdated revocation notice was
sent to her by the relevant Ministry. The land was then duly allocated to the
second woman’s NGO??? The FG has stepped into the case, which has been back and
forth in court and has now been adjourned further till the end of this year! It
will be interesting to see the outcome of this case. As the proverbial saying
goes, “when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers”
Until next week!
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