The Abia Government has announced a shift in the actual date of commencement for the demolition of affected structures at the proposed Ossah -Tower road expansion by three weeks.
This was part of the resolution reached at the end of this week’s State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.
Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu
Briefing newsmen at the Government House Umuahia at the end of the meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Culture Prince Okey Kanu disclosed that consultations between the Government and the affected community were ongoing and productive
He added that the notice as to how much compensation to be paid to the owners of the affected structures would be issued soon.
Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije
Contributing, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije revealed that a total of 160 structures affected in the demolition exercise have been enumerated and valued.
Mr. Chukwumerije further revealed that compensation would be provided in stages before the demolition begins adding that the shift in the demolition date to a later time is to allow the affected individuals to relocate.
“We are a government not in a hurry to demolish but in a hurry to develop the state and by extension the state capital and planning for the future expansion of the city.
“We are also a government that obey the law and due process, so all the 160 structures affected by the road expansion have been enumerated. Notice of amount due for compensation would be passed on to everyone due for compensation within the ambit of the law.
“In applying the law, we are also a government that has a human face. Revocation notice have been served weeks back, demolition notices have also been served.
“Based on our timeline, demolition was scheduled to commence today(14th August ) but being a listening government, as a result of our community engagement, we’ve been to each community along that axis, we’ve also had a town hall meeting and we’ve also had sensitization programme and interactions with those affected so demolition has been moved forward by three weeks and before demolition starts, compensation is going to be paid in tranches. Before demolition starts, we would have commenced the tranche payment of compensation”, Chukwumereije clarified.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Ngozi Felix was present during the press briefing.
L- R: Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije, Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu and Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Ngozi Felix
