AKWA IBOM GOVERNMENT DEMOLISHED MY HOUSE WITHOUT NOTICE: Akwa Ibom Journalist Cries out
..Writes open letter to the Governor of Akwa Ibom state
December 19, 2024.
OPEN LETTER TO GOVERNOR UMO ENO
His Excellency,
Umo Eno, PhD
Governor, Akwa Ibom State
Your Excellency,
Greetings to you, Sir.
I write this letter with tears in my eyes and a heavy heart,
as I am presently homeless.
I firmly believe that your administration is committed to the
well-being and development of the people of Akwa Ibom State. However, it is
disheartening to note that certain actions by some agents of the government
seem to contradict your vision, making life unbearable for residents like me,
who have become victims of these actions.
My name is Charles Bassey Silas, a retired broadcast
journalist from Uyo Local Government Area. I recently retired from Radio
Nigeria (FRCN), where I faithfully served the nation for decades.
I currently reside at No. 2 Union Lane, Ifa Ikot Okpn, off
the newly constructed Ring Road III, in an uncompleted building I managed to
construct with loans and savings from my salary during the last two years of my
service. This structure has been my family’s refuge since 2018 when we were
evicted from our rented apartment after the funeral of my father, Ambassador
Bassey Silas.
To my utmost shock and dismay, on (Thursday, 19th
December, 2024, a team from the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Housing,
accompanied by armed soldiers, tractors, and bulldozers, arrived at my
residential area and began demolishing houses, including my property.
At the time of the demolition, my young children were in the
house and watched helplessly as our home was torn down.
Three weeks before this demolition, the same agents marked my
house and informed us that the government intended to acquire the land. Shortly
after, individuals claiming to be government-licensed valuers approached us,
offering to assist with compensation negotiations.
However, to date, no
compensation has been provided, and my home was destroyed without any official
notice or support.
I am devastated. I worked tirelessly to build this home, even
as I continue to service the loans I took out to finance its construction. Now,
my family and I have nowhere to go.
After my retirement, I relocated to Delta State to manage a
TV and radio station in Asaba. I was not in Uyo when this demolition occurred,
and my wife and children have been left in shock, with no shelter and no means
to continue their lives.
Your Excellency, I served Akwa Ibom State and contributed to
its leadership for years. I worked as a correspondent for the immediate past
administration and supported various developmental initiatives. Today, it feels
like all my sacrifices and contributions have been ignored.
I plead for your urgent intervention, Sir. My family and I
are on the verge of losing everything, and I am overwhelmed with frustration
and despair. My children are out of school, my wife is traumatized, and I am
left with no means to rebuild.
I appeal to you as a compassionate and humane leader to look
into this matter and provide the necessary support and compensation for my
family and others affected by this unfortunate situation.
I remain hopeful that you will act swiftly to address this
injustice and bring relief to us.
Sincerely,
Charles Bassey Silas
Retired Staff, Radio Nigeria (FRCN)
07035785686
Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
Attached are pictures and additional evidence of the
demolition.
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