The
last time I checked, the ever famous and revered daily market Ekeukwu Owerre
otherwise known as ‘Ekeonunwa’ situated along the ancient Douglas road –
reckoned to be the heartbeat of Imo State the Eastern Heartland – had
eventually been relocated to more serene areas.
The above action was necessitated by the
efforts of the state’s government led by Governor Rochas Okorocha toward
ensuring that the previous locality of the market – Douglas road – was
restructured for the good of all. It would be recalled that since the emergence
of the Rescue Mission Administration, there had been a strong determination by
the government to relocate the market.
And sometime last year being 2016,
following deliberations with the concerned stakeholders, a directive was
outrightly given by the government to the traders, asking them to relocate to
the new sites, which included Egbeada and Avu, in Owerri West L.G.A and Naze in
Owerri North L.G.A.
The
directive was flaunted by the traders owing to many protests staged by the
indigenes of the affected area being Douglas road. At the time, their women
were seen in thorough black regalia carrying caskets all over the city of
Owerri including the axis that leads to the Government House. Their grievance
was that if finally relocated to a different locality, they would stand to lose
what they described as their ‘birthright’. The occurrence of what could best be
described as the reemergence of the ‘Aba women riot’ caused tremendous uproar
within and outside the capital territory.
Due to the rigorous protests, the
government thought it wise to withdraw its directive, thereby considered going
back to the drawing board. Just two weeks ago, precisely on Thursday 24th
August 2017, the government further mandated the traders at Ekeukwu Owerre to
relocate to the new sites, thus were given a 48-hour ultimatum – meant to
expire on Saturday August 26 – to adhere to the instruction.
It’s noteworthy that the directive
was swept under the carpet by the recipients, or the concerned individuals.
Hence, as a result of the stubbornness, the government resorted to employing
‘non-human face’ towards achieving its lofty proposal by firstly ensuring that
all the shanties built along the Douglas road were duly demolished without
further ado. The action of the government transcended to other uncalled
structures located at the aforementioned arena. The point is that, at the
moment, the Ekeukwu Owerre has been successfully relocated, although amidst
mixed feelings.
Why the government decided to take the
bull by the horn may not be unconnected with the countless criminalities that
were instituted along the Douglas road in recent times. It’s not anymore news
that recently criminal activities such as armed robbery, cultism, and what have
you, were obviously on the rampage along and within the Douglas axis, thereby
making commuters and Imolites in general live in fear especially whenever they
found themselves at the affected arena.
It’s worth noting that I’m not here to
apportion blames or whatever. This piece is candidly informed by the need for
us to acknowledge some facts surrounding governance as well as the compelling
need to embrace the way forward at such a time like this, acknowledging that
many are presently aggrieved over the government’s initiative. It’s pertinent
to note that for government to actualize any intending laudable initiative, it
must not depend solely on pleading with the concerned individuals to comply
with its directive that is in line with its anticipated societal development.
Sometime, action needs to be
taken when the people poses inconsequential stubbornness, especially when the
proposed initiative means well for every occupant of the concerned territory.
This was exactly what prompted the scene witnessed along the Douglas road two
weeks ago.
Though properties were lost in the
process, we need to take into cognizance that for a meaningful change to take
place, sacrifices must be made. It suffices to say that people must be willing
to sacrifice one thing or the other if they truly anticipate something good in
their lives. I was in Lagos State penultimate week for a national Convention
organized by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Alumni body of my
alma-mater – the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) – in
collaboration with the Lagos Chapter of the organization; the event took place
precisely on Victoria Island (VI).
During my short stay in the said city,
I observed that Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode had brought several changes within the
shores of the state. From the look, being someone who was bred in Lagos, and still
frequents the state, I needn’t be told that a lot of structures were destroyed
in the process. For instance, if you are in doubt, take a trip to Oshodi
territory, a popular and highly populated market arena in the city of Lagos,
you would comprehend the picture I am trying to paint here.
A very good friend and brother of mine, Mr.
Desmond Obi lost a befitting shop – where his beloved wife traded on phones and
accessories – at the Douglas road while the action was taken by the government.
But rather than complaining bitterly, he confidently told me that he was
strongly in support of the government’s move towards changing the pitiable
physiognomy of the said arena. According to the seeming patriotic Imolite,
Douglas is the heartbeat of Owerri, thus anything that negatively affects it
would definitely affect the entire Imo State coupled with its vicinity. Mr. Obi
therefore opined that the government motive meant well for all Imolites.
Though a few individuals – particularly a
ten-year-old boy - reportedly lost their precious lives in the process, I
wouldn’t like to start joining issues on this platform since this critique is
mainly occasioned by the need for every Imolite to embrace the way-forward. Hence,
I sincerely share the pains of the bereaved families. We need to note that no
rational and sane government would ever dream of shedding any blood let alone
an innocent one, and the Rescue Mission wouldn’t be an exception.
Against this backdrop, I urge the
government to desist from the act of denying that whatever life that was lost
during the faceoff was not connected with the stray bullets fired by the
security personnel that were assigned to repel the aggrieved party; rather, it
ought to concentrate on how best to please the families of whosoever that lost
his life during the period in review. This is time to make amends, and not the
reverse.
We must understand that, for peace to reign,
we need not continue visiting the injuries incurred along the line, thus I plead
with my fellow Imolites who are currently aggrieved to sheath their swords. Why
has it abruptly turned to a ‘war’ between two distinct communities as if
there’s something they are not telling us? How did we get to this point?
Please, let’s not let this misunderstanding escalate to something else.
I enjoin the government to engage on
rigorous meetings with the various relevant stakeholders with a sole view to
making amends where necessary. Yes, the government has met with the
stakeholders after the incident, it must note that no amount of deliberations
would be tagged an overdose. Every concerned party must be brought to a
round-table discussion without much ado.
All in all, everyone must at this
point jettison his/her ego towards doing the needful as I implore politicians
in the opposition not to use the scenario to achieve their cheap political aims.
Imo does not belong to anyone; rather, it remains our collective patrimony. Think
about it!
Comrade FDN Nwaozor
Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri________________________________
http://facebook.com/TheMediaAmbassador
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Twitter: @mediambassador
