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

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

Twitter: @mediambassador  

Okorocha And The Hungry Pensioners

OKOROCHA AND THE HUNGRY PENSIONERS

     The last time I checked, a hungry man remained an angry man. This is the reason a hungry kid would invariably be seen in a destructive mood.  Indeed, any hungry kid would use any means to get the attention of his/her mother or anyone who takes care of him/her.

     It’s not anymore news that two weeks ago, on Thursday 16^th June 2016 precisely, the Imo State pensioners took to the streets of Owerri to protest for the backlog of pension arrears owed them having sensed foul play from the side of the government that’s bound to protect their welfare. The said protest was duly planned by the leadership of the victims in question and it was conducted as planned.

      I overheard some residents lamenting that the pensioners overstepped their boundary during the protest. According to the ignoramuses, the protesters weren’t meant or were forbade to block the major roads in the state in the course of the protest. They went further to state that the leaders of the protest deserved an assault from any relevant enforcement agent.

     The so-called commentators failed to comprehend two basic facts that necessitated the protest. One; the aggrieved people are being owed for over one calendar year now. Secondly, they aren’t just citizens of this state but senior citizens whom are meant to be treated with maximum attention by any one or group whatsoever. Suffice it to say that they undoubtedly exercised a reasonable patience before taking to the street, thus deserve kudos.

     Another rudimentary factor we are yet to understand is that, the aforesaid persons are not just hungry but extremely angry. I wonder how we expect a retiree who hasn’t been paid for over a year to cope. If not that most of them have some children or wards they depend on as regards feeding in their respective homes, I’m afraid, they would have all given up the ghost by this time especially at this very moment we’re been faced with astronomical economic hardship.

     For the obvious fact that these people are very hungry, we ought to equally expect them to be very angry because no doubt ‘a hungry man is an angry man’; there are no two ways about it. We should be thanking God that they never sought the support of the workers who are still in service prior to embarking on the much-talk-about protest. Yes, acknowledging the fact that every worker remains a potential pensioner, he/she is required to be aggrieved over the ongoing maltreatment received by the teeming senior citizens, hence the NLC may decide to join them in the protest. Of course, we are not unaware of the implication of such action.

     So those who lamented that the pensioners prevented workers from going to their various offices having blocked the major roads ought to note that the senior citizens can as well lobby the workers to stay off their respective offices. No doubt, they possess the muscle to carry out such action provided nobody is injured or killed in the process. In other words, blocking the major roads or streets should be seen as a very minor step taking into cognizance that this set of persons is extremely angry. Try and be in their shoes at least for a second; by so doing, you would understand a glimpse of what they are passing through.

     Most times I pity my mum who retired over two years ago, in March 2014 precisely, but yet to receive her gratuity let alone the pension arrears accruable to her. Though she’s blessed with children that are equal to the task when it calls for taking good care of her, she remains unhappy on a daily basis that she’s being deprived of her entitlements. I’m very close to her; hence, I truly comprehend how exactly she feels regarding the aberration. Frankly, you wouldn’t understand how it pinches one who wears such shoes unless your feet embrace it. It’s even more amusing and pathetic to note that my mum is an ardent fan of Governor Rochas Okorocha.

     With all due respect; right now, if I see the governor in my dream, I wouldn’t hesitate to tag it a nightmare. Of course, you wouldn’t expect my person to see a man who makes my beloved and darling mum cry daily as a friend.  I can’t compromise such feeling, not even in my grave. It’s more devastating to acknowledge that the woman in question is a health personnel; needless to say that she had vigorously helped in saving millions of lives while in service. Now, which is the apt time for the government to appreciate her assiduous and meritorious services, she experiences the contrary in spite of the fact that what she’s longing for is hers.

     My dad on his part is equally a pensioner; every now and then, they would be asked to go for verification without minding if they even have the transport fare that would convey them to the venue for the exercise. More painfully, after the exercise, nothing would be done. For crying out loud, pensions are the result of the continued savings made by these individuals while in active service, thus as a civil rights activist I see no reason they should be deprived of such right. Even the ongoing economic meltdown or getting rid of false pensioners from the payroll shouldn’t be a tangible excuse for such denial. Unequivocally, such deprivation anywhere in the world isn’t unlike robbery.

     At the moment, Imo State could boast of a good number of infrastructures to an extent, still the people in it are immensely crying foul. The state is seemingly smiling but its stomach is virtually empty; that’s ‘suffering smiling’. There’s provision for physical infrastructure, but none for stomach infrastructure. So who would be alive to enjoy the former? Too many questions seeking for an answer.

     As much as I appreciate Gov Okorocha for his intention to totally get rid of the ‘ghost pensioners’ whose names are littered on the pension payroll as we were told, I also plead with his Excellency to note that the prolonged wait is becoming very unbearable; hence, unacceptable. Provision of a biometric database, which is the only way to get rid of ghost workers or pensioners, as the case may be, can only last for a short while. For the umpteenth time, we can’t continue to rob Peter to pay Paul. Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)

-Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-

Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research

& Career Development - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

Twitter: @mediambassador 

       

Celebrating 2016 Int'l Widows' day

CONFRONTING ONGOING VULNERABILITY OF WIDOWHOOD AS THE WORLD MARKS THE 2016 INTERNATIONAL WIDOWS’ DAY TODAY THURSDAY JUNE 23

      Today June 23, the world over is commemorating the annual International Widows’ Day as stipulated and observed by the United Nations (UN). The International Widows’ Day is a UN ratified day of action to address the poverty and injustice faced by millions of widows and their dependents in many countries. The event invariably takes place on every 23^rd day of June.

     The day was established in 2005 by Raj Loomba whose mother became a widow on June 23, 1954, and the bereaved woman experienced the social intolerance and financial adversity that can befall widows. The establishment was made under the aegis of The Loomba Foundation to raise awareness of the issue of widowhood, which was thereafter formally adopted and duly approved on 21^st December 2010 by the United Nations’ General Assembly under the leadership of the present UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon. The proposal for the approval was tendered by President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon.

      A widow is a woman whose husband is died, whilst a widower is a man who has lost his wife; thus, widowhood is a state in which a man or a woman, as the case may be, has lost his/her marriage partner. It is obvious that in any society in the world, anyone either a man or a woman found in a state of widowhood is regarded as a less-privileged, because his/her partner in whom he/she is well pleased has departed for eternity. But in Africa, particularly Nigeria, the most devastating aspect of widowhood is when a woman is passing through the ordeal.

      In Nigeria for instance, on the average, a widow regardless of her status, is severely molested, intimidated as well as humiliated. The major plight faced by a widow in this part of the world is deprivation of her late husband’s properties or possessions by her teeming in-laws. In this case, she would be banned from making use of anything belonging to the deceased, thereby making her appear like a mere slave in her matrimonial home.

      In most cases, the widow in question would be accused of being responsible for her husband’s demise without minding the severe psychological pains and agony she is passing through. In some quarters, to prove her innocence, the poor widow would be mandated by the accusers to drink the water used in washing her late husband’s corpse; a practice that obviously seems highly irrational and barbaric.

     To worsen the matter, she might even be sent out of her matrimonial home as if she was not legitimately married to the deceased. Even if she begot a child for the deceased, she would be asked to leave with the child for her parental home. It’s worth noting that this aspect of intimidation can make the sufferer commit suicide unannounced owing to the gravity of ignominy attached to the ordeal. 

      Most pathetically and painfully, based on the locality, a widow may be subjected to marry her late husband’s sibling, which is often referred to by the perpetrators as ‘customary or ethical’. Funnily enough, the so-called prospective husband of the widow may even be a married man or sometimes an imbecile.

     After the official recognition of June 23 by the UN, the accompanying resolution called upon Member States, the United Nations system, and other international and regional organizations to give special attention to the situation of widows and their children. A recent report reveals that there are an estimated two hundred and forty-five (245) million widows worldwide, of which one hundred and fifteen (115) million live in abject poverty and suffer from social stigmatization and economic deprivation.

      As the world over marks the famous International Widows’ Day today, it is our civic responsibility to support the worthwhile event. In our respective capacities, we have vital roles to play towards ensuring that these ugly ubiquitous melodramas as regards humiliation of widows are totally eradicated. Poverty and injustice against widows is a worldwide plight addressed by the International Widows’ Day, thus we are expected to individually or collectively help to tackle the said anomalies.

     We can assist in the ongoing campaign by ensuring that in our respective jurisdictions, a widow is not treated unjustly. We can also help to prosecute anyone who attempts to intimidate or humiliate her. Similarly, every widow should be conscientized on the need to fight for her right regardless of the circumstance. Widowers should equally be supported in any possible way in order to keep them away from any form of emotional or psychological trauma.

     The civil rights lawyers shouldn’t hesitate to pursue any legal case regarding widowhood that’s brought to their chambers even if the plaintiff lacks the financial muscle. In the same vein, the civil society as well as the religious bodies ought to put up a holistic sensitization toward making the general public understand the repercussion of treating a widow or widower, as the case may be, unjustly.

     The widows on their part are required to form a formidable coalition in any locality they find themselves to enable them possess one voice towards tackling any form of maltreatment they are usually faced. By so doing, they can assist each other in solving any predicament. They, particularly the less privileged ones, should equally desist from exercising despair; it’s no doubt very painful for one’s marriage/life partner to depart eternally, but that shouldn’t make the victim of such circumstance see it as the end of the world.

      Most importantly, we must note that this campaign requires the support of all and sundry irrespective of social-cultural or religious affiliations. Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)

-Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-

Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research

& Career Development - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

Twitter: @mediambassador