From TCNEWS
The Abia State Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr Chaka Chukwumerije has embarked on public enlightenment and sensitization outreach to communities that will be affected in the planned road expansion of Owerrinta to Umuikaa by the Governor Alex Otti’s Administration.
Recall that the State Government had recently announced that it would soon embark on the expansion of Owerrinta to Umuikaa to join Enugu/ Port Harcourt Express, Umuikaa Junction.
Speaking to the three Communities – Ugwumbutu, Amaise Ahaba and Ikaa autonomous in Isiala Ngwa South L.G.A during the public enlightenment held at Owerrinta Primary School, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Lands and Housing, ESV Pastor Okorougo Aji who represented the Commissioner, stated that the Ministry will soon commence enumeration and valuation of the buildings which external valuers will also be engaged.
While notifying them that compensations would be made within the armbit of the law, he pointed out that the present administration has a human face, hence the ample consideration given to sensitizing the communities before embarking on the demolition and expansion.
“We embarked on this public enlightenment as the Government of Dr Alex Chioma Otti believes in due process while still being in a hurry to develop the State…
“We will give a human face to all decisions taken as we are all Abians”.
Speaking also, a representative of the Attorney General of the State, Barrister Olanma Awa assured the communities that everything would be done within the ambit ot the law, maintaining further that the expansion was for the best interest of the communities involved and Abians in general.
According to her, the presence of the Attorney General in the sensitization visit was to also assure that the job would not only be done as stipulated but would also be done well and peacefully too.
She said that the purpose of the sensitization visit is for them to have the assurance of the Government and a fair agreement reached.
Speaking respectively, the Mayor Isiala Ngwa South, Chief Elelenta Nwabuisi, TPL Chinanu Nkume, State Director Town Planning assured that Governor Otti will not let them down as the road will be solidly built and pleaded with them that the development coming to them is for the good of all Abians.
Responding respectively, the traditional ruler of Ugwumbutu Autonomous Community, HRM Eze Dr Chimezie Mbogu, his counterparts from Amaise Ahaba, HRM Eze Daniel Nwogu, Ikaa autonomous Community, HRM Eze John Onwuasoanya and HRM Eze Sir Dandy Ogalabu of Apu na Ekpu Kingdom, Honorable Onwuasoanya, Joy Ihejirika, Chinenye Philip, Osaka Uzoma and Chief Mike Eze, appreciated the road expansion initiative of the Governor but passionately appealed that compensations should be made to those who genuinely owned properties and the parents graves should also be considered.
Passing a vote of thanks, HRM Eze Daniel Ozioma Nwosu of Amaise-Ahaba autonomous Community appreciated the Governor for his developmental strides and thanked the commissioner and his team for meaningfully engaging the communities on the development.