NGO Launches Platform To Address Demolition, Eviction Crisis

HipCity Innovation Centre has launched a web-based platform to track and report housing demolitions and forced evictions across Nigeria, focusing on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The group emphasised that this initiative is a response to the growing crisis of demolitions and evictions, particularly in urban poor communities.

Addressing journalists yesterday in Abuja, the executive director of HipCity Innovation Centre, Bassey Bassey, highlighted the alarming situation. He noted that in 2024 alone, the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) demolished areas such as Airport Road, Gwarinpa, and Garki, displacing hundreds of families.

Bassey also pointed out similar actions in parts of Lagos, where urban-poor settlements have been cleared, leaving many residents homeless.

According to him, the launch of the tracker will help create a better understanding of the dynamics behind demolitions.

He stated, “The web-based reporting and tracker system is designed to help us understand the motives behind demolitions. The law clarifies how evictions should occur and what procedures should be followed before demolition.

“We want to track the trends and motives behind evictions and demolitions in Abuja and across Nigeria. By documenting this information, we can gain insights into how to engage with the government, especially considering the severe housing deficit in the country.

“We have a 20 million housing deficit in Nigeria, and for every house that is demolished, for every community that is evicted, more Nigerians are pushed into homelessness, displacement, and destitution. We know that when someone loses their home, everything else is destabilised.

“You won’t have access to your workplace because you’ve been dislocated. Your business is disrupted; your children are out of school. The consequences are far-reaching.”