Commission Warns Against Forceful Eviction Of Nigerians

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has cautioned governments in the country against forceful ejection citizens from their homes in the name of urban renewal programmes.

The commission’s legal officer, Mr. Tony Ojukwu said this in a paper  presented during this year’s World Habitat Day celebration in Port Harcourt, Mr. Ojukwu also called for the inclusion of communities in every developmental programmes that affect their existence.

He said that the celebration would serve as a reminder to governments in the country that it was their  responsibility to provide decent and affordable accommodations for their people.

“The primary purpose of government is the provision of adequate security and welfare of the citizens. There cannot be adequate security and welfare without adequate and suitable shelters for the citizens”, he said.

Also speaking, the representative of Amnesty International, Mr. Hecrko Dyksterhois said that the group was against any form of urban renewal programme that does not consider the interest of local communities.

The Amnesty International representative said that, the group requires deliberate efforts by the government to provide shelter, water and medical facilities for the people.

The United Nations Habitat representative, Mr. Simon Kennedy said that the organisation believes that governments must adopt peaceful approach in its developmental process.