The Abia State Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije has said that the expansion from Ossah – Michael Okpara Square road, one of the major entrances to the State capital was part of the modernization and development strategies of Governor Alex Otti led administration.
Speaking at the International Conference Center, Umuahia during a town hall meeting with those whose buildings and lands were affected, the Commissioner announced that the Governor has also okayed full payment of compensation to all affected.
He pointed out that the Ministry had long started the process of communicating to the various people affected, serving the relevant notice, enumeration, valuation, placing the notice of the claimants, those entitled to compensation and over the past few weeks, the various claimants have been in and out of the ministry of lands and housing, confirming the claims.
His words, “Now we have come to a point as promised by this administration of payment of compensation before works start on that road. We have always mentioned that we are a government that believes in due process and that in carrying out what is within the right of the government for the greater good of Abians, we will always have a human face. In between this process. This is the second town hall meeting we have had. We have had an engagement in which we came to each of the communities affected”.
Chukwumerije, who disclosed that about 130 structures would be affected, said that the government’s intention was to expand the road from its present 4-lane road to 6-lane, adding additional lanes on the either side of the road.
He also announced that payment of compensation has started and the process is online and direct crediting of the account of each of the claimants, having collected each of the account numbers of the claimants.
“This is yet another town hall meeting as part of our government with a human face that carries the community along because whatever it is we are doing, it is in the interest of you and by extension all Abians.
“Also, we recognize the inconveniences that might be faced at the moment and that is why we talk about fair compensation in line with the law. That is why we have given sufficient time for those affected to relocate”, Chukwumerije further pointed out.
Meanwhile, some of the members of the affected communities who spoke during the meeting appealed that government should strive to maintain its words as it affects the compensation payment.
The members include: Mr. Ugochukwu Emezue, Mrs. Cecilia Onyebuchi among others, appreciated the development initiative as it affects the road expansion.
