Lagos — Human rights group, the Social and Economic Rights Action Centre (SERAC), in collaboration with the Lagos Marginalised Communities Forum (LAMCOFOR), is seeking adequate shelter for all affected citizens in the country.

SERAC's Executive Director, Dr. Felix Morka, in his address during the recent World Habitat Day 2009 held at Ebute-Metta, Lagos, said the event gives them the opportunity to reflect on the conditions of towns and cities and the basic right to adequate shelter for all.

He explained that the event was in line with the recommendations of the Commission on Human Settlements, the United Nations General Assembly in 1985, which passed a resolution by designating every first Monday of October hence celebration.

Morka, speaking on the theme: 'Planning Our Urban Future' noted that both SERAC and LAMCOFOR are mostly concerned with the promotion and protecting of economic, social and cultural rights in the country.

He further stressed that the group also seeks to create awareness about the rights of the people and find strategies for securing their realisation, and aim at broadening access of individuals and communities and strengthening their participation in design and implementation of social and economic polices affecting them.

"In keeping with the belief that communities must have the opportunity to act as key players in the process of urban development, in 2006 SERAC helped to create LAMCOFOR, an umbrella association of slum communities in Lagos;

"LAMCOFOR comprised, of about 45 communities, facilitates networking and collaboration between marginalised and environmentally challenged Lagos communities," he said.

Morka however, averred that they are both concerned with the upsurge in the number of demolition and forced evictions taking place all over the nation under the guise of urban renewal and beautification, adding that many of it are in direct violation of the right to adequate housing and a disregard to international human rights treaties, which Nigeria is a signatory.

"As such, SERAC and LAMCOFOR are using this World Habitat Day to declare, 'Adequate housing is a basic right.' For a number of LAMCOFOR member communities, these rights are being denied," Morka said.

He again, posited that SERAC is calling on all communities, local governments, media practitioners, academics, human rights activists and the public to support advocacy efforts in ensuring that development takes place with minimal social costs.

Meanwhile, LAMCOFOR Chairman, Prince Samuel Aiyeyemi, in his address, stated that it is a taboo to demolish homes belonging to human beings, adding that for a man to have a fulfilled life, he must have a structure that keeps away the rains, sun and the winds.

"All things in the world have their habitats where they naturally feel happy. If you take away a fish from water, it wriggles for a time and dies. You sever a tree from the ground, it withers and dies; you put a man inside water or fire, he suffocates and dies. All these happen because of changes in habitats," he said.

He also said that they are using the opportunity to call on the President of Nigeria, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua and all the Chief Executives of the States to put the issue of adequate housing for all citizenry as a matter of great importance.