Enugu residents in distress as state govt marks homes in Federal Housing Estate for demolition amid economic hardship
Residents of the Federal Housing Estate in Enugu are facing a new crisis as the Enugu State government has marked several homes, including those of long-standing property owners, for demolition.
Emmanuel Okoh, a 50-year-old businessman from the Federal Housing Estate in Enugu, is grappling with the twin pressures of economic hardship and the looming demolition of his property.
Okoh, who has struggled to feed his family of five due to dwindling income and rising costs of goods and services, now faces an even more daunting challenge: the potential loss of his home.
“The Enugu State Government has marked my property on Nike Lake Road, Trans Ekulu, for demolition,” Okoh lamented, adding “I borrowed money from a mortgage bank to build this house several years ago, and if the government goes ahead, I’ll have nothing left. My entire business will be ruined.”
Okoh’s case is far from isolated. Many properties along Nike Lake Road, Trans Ekulu, including notable establishments such as Sunrise International Nursery and Primary School, Content Oil and Gas, Dontell Hotel, Akachukwu Pharmacy, St. Philip’s Church, and Sazodo Plaza, have also been marked for demolition.
The state government, led by Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, aims to expand and dualize the road for better traffic flow and safety, a project that has sparked widespread concern among residents.
The demolition initiative dates back to 2015 when then-Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi proposed dualizing Nike Lake Road, only to reconsider after intense appeals from property owners. Many of these homeowners had secured approvals for their building plans from the Federal Ministry of Housing, which also supervised the construction. Strict compliance with setbacks and other building specifications was enforced, including a mandatory three-meter setback from the drainage system.
When our reporter visited the area, demolition notices were seen posted on various properties, deepening the anxiety of residents. They argue that the current road width could accommodate a dual carriageway without necessitating the destruction of properties. One resident suggested, “If the government insists on expanding the road, they should take just one meter from both sides without demolishing houses.”
Governor Mbah’s road expansion project is part of his broader promise to improve over 10,000 kilometers of roads across Enugu State, including urban areas like Udi and Nsukka. His administration plans to integrate modern features like traffic lights, pedestrian walkways, and covered drains into these upgrades.
Despite acknowledging the potential benefits of the project, many residents feel that the state government should approach the situation with more empathy. The affected homeowners, many of whom built their houses on legally approved federal land, have appealed to Governor Mbah to consider the economic realities and spare their properties.
One property owner explained, “The setback for our houses was approved by the federal government, and the original plan never envisaged a dual carriageway. If the government extends the setback by just one meter beyond the gutter, they can still achieve their goal without destroying livelihoods.”
While officials from the Ministry of Works and the Enugu State Capital Territory Development Authority declined to comment on the issue, the residents remain hopeful that Governor Mbah will follow in the footsteps of his predecessor by reconsidering the demolition plan. With economic hardship already taking its toll on the populace, they are praying for a compassionate resolution that spares their homes and businesses from ruin.
