Ongoing Demolition By Imo State Government

ONGOING DEMOLITION BY IMO STATE GOVERNMENT

     The last time I checked, various demolitions were ongoing at strategic locations in Imo State, the Eastern Heartland to include, among others, MCC/Uruata road, Mbari street as well as Amakohia/Akwakuma road, all in Owerri Capital Territory owing to proposed road dualization. According to the state government, the action was necessitated by the acknowledgement of the fact that several structures coupled with shanties, both commercial and residential, were built on ‘unauthorized’ sites, thereby constituting colossal nuisance on the affected major roads.

     Though there’s intention to bring down every structure defacing the outlook of the state, particularly its capital city, the government disclosed penultimate week that so far only ‘shanties’ had been demolished. This report was occasioned by the claims of most Imo residents, which had gone viral, that most befitting structures had already been brought down by the government agency in-charge of the exercise.

     It’s noteworthy that since the said exercise began, series of reactions cum counter-reactions have been generated in various quarters within the state and beyond by concerned citizens and activists. Majority of the wailers are of the notion that the Imo State government has derailed going by the manner in which it commenced the exercise. Lest I forget; most of those affected by the ongoing initiative have cried foul that they were taken unawares by the government.

     A notable personality from the state in the person of Capt Emmanuel Iheanacho who happens to be one of the victims of the initiative had stated that the programme was solely targeted at witch-hunting his person. Capt Iheanacho whose house is situated along Orlu road by Amakohia, Owerri and had been marked for demolition insinuated that the exercise was initiated to achieve a personal motive contrary to the government’s claim that its aim was to make Owerri an ultra-modern city.

    The recent Imo gubernatorial contestant under the aegis of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) went further to disclose that the government could not in any way convince him that the exercise wasn’t targeted at his personality. According to him, he could not fold his hands and watch the government intimidate him, though urged the governor Chief Rochas Okorocha to have a rethink over the initiative.

     However, this piece was informed by the obvious fact that I needed to tell the governor what he needs to know. The governor needs to realize that those structures that were allegedly built illicitly were authorized by the government before they were erected. One of the statutory functions of any state Ministry of Land, Survey and Urban Planning, or as the case may be, is to ensure that prior to the erection of a proposed building on a certain state road, it (the proposed structure) alongside the proposed site must be duly approved by the ministry.

     Even if the approval in question wasn’t granted by the present administration, the bone of contention remains that there was an approval issued to the applicant or the intended landlord. So acknowledging the unarguable fact that government is a continuum, the current administration is meant to abide by the initial approval issued, regardless of the administration that took the decision.

     To this end, the Rescue Mission Administration is required to plead with the various landlords to dance to its tune if it was later discovered by the said administration that those structure weren’t properly erected, and the government must as well be willing to meet the conditions to be named by the landlords. Hence, in this case, the various landlords ought to be regarded as the prime determinant, unless in the case of the shanties whereby their owners never sought for any authorization before they were erected.

     Then, if the landlords of those affected structures didn’t seek for approval before putting up the structures, the government should be blamed for such anomaly. Yes. Such lapse ought to be blamed on the government for allowing those buildings to be erected inappropriately. And don’t forget, government is a continuum; in other words, irrespective of the administration that condoned such illegal act, the present administration would definitely share in the blame.

     So at this point, what the government is expected to do is to embrace dialogue with the eligible owners of the affected buildings where the former is required to be as well as remain submissive as long as the dialogue phase lasts. And such gesture was meant to be embraced before making the initiative public. I know the landlords wouldn’t in their real sense assent to the government’s proposal for their respective houses to be demolished taking into cognizance the efforts and resources they sacrificed when the buildings were variously being built. But if they eventually concur with the government in the long run, they would of course ask for a reasonable compensation.

     The government needs to unequivocally comprehend the language of due process. Most times, a certain government would be loaded with laudable and commendable policies or inborn projects, but the way in which the government intends to implement the policy plays a major role towards arriving at the anticipated success room; this is why governments at all levels are meant to be extremely mindful of their respective implementation mechanisms.

     Come to think of it; it the Imo government is sincerely willing to get rid of shanties in every nook and cranny of the ancient state, precisely Owerri, why is the famous ‘Ama Hausa’ still seeing the light of the day in spite of all the wails from various quarters? It’s even more painful and devastating that the place in question is situated at the heartbeat of Owerri metropolis. When I cried foul sometime ago as regards the anomaly, I was told by a government official that a permanent site was being built for the Hausa community, thus they would soon leave the nauseous present arena. Who is deceiving who? Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)

-Researcher, Blogger, Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-

Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research

& Career Development - Owerri

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