CAN applauds El-Rufai for stopping demolition of 110-yr-old church

The Kaduna State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has lauded the decision by the state government to save the 110-year-old St. George Anglican Church, Zaria, from demolition.

CAN had cried out to the governor over a purported seven-day notice issued on Thursday by the Urban Planning Development Agency (KASUPDA) for the demolition of Saint George’s Anglican Church in Sabon Gari, Zaria, which was built about 110 years ago.

However, KASUPDA Director-General, Ismail Dikko had clarified that the church would not be touched because of its historical value.

He explained that the church was yet to obtain its Certificate of Occupancy, assuring that it would get it from the Kaduna State Geographical Information Service.

The CAN Chairman in the State, Rev. Joseph Hayab, on Saturday, commended the Governor Nasir El-Rufai administration for listening to the yearnings of the people by reversing its earlier decision and halting the demolition plan on the church.

He explained, “l honestly pray and believe that the state government will continue to listen to the cry of its people. This will go a long way to cement good relationship between the government and the citizens and by extension ensure peaceful coexistence in the state.

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“We commend the government for this act. What we are saying is that govt should remain a listening government. Democracy thrives when government listens to the people but when government doesn’t listen to people, people think negatively about every action it takes,” he said.

“What we are doing is simply to remind government that we are not at war with them. We are just raising alarm; we are just another added eyes for them to see and know what is happening to people.

“So, if they do good, we will clap for them but if they don’t, we will tell them that something is wrong and that people are crying.”

The chairman, however, pleaded that the DG’s reversed order be documented for future references.

“We want them to document the response by the DG so that their officials when they come in future, we will show them the document by them. So that it won’t just be a mere paper statement. If they do that, we will appreciate them.”

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