The
last time I checked, the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha had
ostensibly vowed to get rid of any form of shanty around every nook and cranny
of the Eastern Heartland, the Owerri Capital Territory in particular.
The ongoing operation no more shanties,
which is part of the Urban Renewal Policy, has conspicuously changed the
outlook of the aforementioned capital city thereby making many to apparently pour
encomia on the Rescue Mission Government. The operation has obviously been at
the top of the gear for quite some time now.
In view of the policy, most of the
major roads within the territory are now wearing a new face. Some of the
pathways in question could at the moment comfortably accommodate at least two
vehicles on one side of it. It suffices to say that they are bearing a standard
dual-carriage system.
It’s, however, imperative to state that
as many celebrate the government for such an achievement, many others are
condemning or lashing it. The reason for such diverse reaction is not
far-fetched. It is not unconnected with the fact that the initiative had
succeeded in sending several Imolites back to their respective clans of origin.
We are not unaware that no such
development can take place without, in the process, negatively affecting some
individuals or groups, as might be the case. In other words, for any meaningful
development to occur, some – if not most – persons must be hurt. And, you
wouldn’t expect those who were affected negatively to join others in approving
the goodness or positive effect of the project.
More so, we must note that not only
shanties were affected as regards the urban renewal policy. Some befitting
structures had equally been demolished so far since the commencement of the
initiative. In some quarters, not just residential structures were demolished;
market places or business layouts were also meant to be taken off.
This latest development concerning
demolition of both residential and commercial structures situated along our
various roads, has generated uproar and ripples among Imolites at home and in
the Diaspora. Some of those whom were directly affected had already left the
city for their various villages, and could afterwards not think of any
meaningful thing to lay their hands on. I really share their pains just as any
other concerned person would.
But we must take into cognizance that
for any useful human-oriented growth or development to take place, there must
be sacrifice. Many things need to go down for other things to rise. This
implies that to acquire something that’s regarded as the best, the one that’s
seen as the good may be sacrificed in the long run.
Notwithstanding, I deem it fit to
disclose that I personally fault the way the government pilots the initiative
that have thus far led to wanton demolition of befitting structures or trading
centres. I expected the government to ensure that a thorough bilateral
agreement was reached with those to be affected by the policy.
Considering that those structures, not
shanties, were erected in line with the initial Master Plan of the territory,
their owners were supposed to be holistically engaged in a roundtable talk with
the government with a view to reaching a formidable agreement that bears no
iota of acrimony or rancour. The demolition would have taken place after
concluding the all-inclusive roundtable discussion.
We need to acknowledge that why the
ongoing policy, as initiated by the government, is highly consequential is
because Owerri and its environs are currently experiencing an influx. The
present human and vehicular population in the territory has outshined the
number that was in the mind of those that designed the Master Plan of the area,
hence the compelling need for a review of the plan.
Lagos State, as a megacity, is
currently facing the same quagmire. This is the reason successive governments
in the South-Western state would continue to demolish various structures and
shanties whenever they came on board for the purpose of paving way for both
human and vehicular movement.
No sane and rational individual is
meant to be against such a developmental stride anywhere in the world. But what
is of concerned is that, before carrying out such initiative, both human and
non-human faces are required. A human face is needed when it has to do with
demolishing a structure or business centre that was legally built. On the other
hand, non-human face is required when shanties and other illicitly built
structures are involved.
Regarding a structure that was licitly constructed,
a reasonable compensation ought to be paid to the victim or affected landlord.
And, such compensation must be as agreed by the owner, and not as it pleases
the government.
The fact is that, if the owner
ascertains that the government’s proposed initiative means well for the state
and that someone must be willing to sacrifice something for such plan to be
carried out, he might not ask for a compensation that would take care of the
intended total damage. The bone of contention is that; such compensation should
not be against his wish or want, or as if the government is just trying to be
of help to him or her.
Everyone
definitely yearns for meaningful development but let everyone be carried along,
particularly those to be directly affected in the process, as we strive towards
ushering in such intended societal change. The expected sense of belonging
mustn’t be overlooked by the government if they really want the governed to
truly cheer them up.
So, as I candidly appreciate the
Owelle-led Rescue Mission Administration over the ongoing urban renewal policy,
I needn’t remind the able governor that there’s still need to reconsider those
that were unlawfully humiliated so far towards healing the incurred injuries.
Think about it!
Comrade Fred Nwaozor
National Coordinator, Right Thinkers
___________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Follow me: @mediambassador
