A video clip of a widow, Mrs. Vero Ngene whose house amongst many other houses was demolished at Ukwu Oji Emene, went viral on social media last week.
Ngene lamented that she has no place or source of income to build another home as her ancestral home wherein her late husband and four children were buried was marked among houses for destruction.
The pathetic story of this widow was so touching as she cried that it would be better the bulldozers deployed by the state government for the demolitions to kill her as well than rendering her homeless and desecrating the graves of her loved ones.
Amidst those tears and call to the government to reconsider the affected persons and provide some sort of relief, the Enugu State Capital Territory Development Authority, ECTDA, commenced demolition and removal of shanties and illegal structures within the affected areas to ensure speedy completion, upgrade of critical infrastructure and eventual reopening of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport.
In a statement signed by the State Commissioner for Information, Nnanyelugo Chidi Aroh, said that the state government is determined to fully implement the request of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, and the resolution of the Southeast Governors’ Forum, SEGF, by removing all obstructions to the reconstruction and critical infrastructural works at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, aimed at improving the safety standards of the airport.
“Pursuant to the resolution of the Southeast Governors’ Forum referred to above, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) requested for the removal of obstruction at the airport construction site along Ukwu Orji area by the rail tracks as contained in the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria letter to the Governor reference no. FAAN/ENU/AM/22/VOL.V32 of 11th May 2020.
The spokesperson went on to say that on 29th June 2020, FAAN issued a public notice advising all the owners of illegal shanties and structures obstructing the construction of critical infrastructure at the airport to remove the same within two weeks.
And in line with the Federal Government directive, the Enugu state government then directed ECTDA to also issue appropriate notices to all such owners and occupants of the illegal shanties and structures.
Hence on10th July 2020 the agency published on page 28 of Vanguard Newspaper published a public notice giving the affected persons a 3-week notice; demolition was to commence from 31st July 2020.
Aroh further revealed that a comprehensive map detailing the affected areas and letter with reference no. FAAN/ENU/AM/15/VOL.6, dated 21st July 2020, was forwarded to ECTDA.
“In line with the above and in consultation with all relevant stakeholders and community leaders in the affected areas, ECTDA commenced demolition and removal of shanties and illegal structures within the affected areas to ensure speedy completion, upgrade of critical infrastructure and eventual reopening of the Airport,” the commissioner wrote.
Aroh further asserted that to ensure the speedy completion, upgrade of the critical infrastructure, and safe operation of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu, the State Government relocated the 120 meters Enugu State Broadcasting Services mast and constructed 1.3 km asphalt road to the airport navigational facility.
Also government provided finance for upgrade and refurbishment of existing toilet facilities in the terminal building.
This includes the installation of sensor sanitary sittings such as contactless automatic taps and flush systems, baby changing facilities, handicapped toilets, air conditioning and ventilation system.
“The state government has no intention whatsoever to acquire any piece of land belonging to the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) rather the government is determined to provide all needed support to the Nigeria Railway Corporation and any other Federal Government agency operating within the state to ensure their full operation and functionality,” he asserted.
From the letter and information gathered by our correspondent, nothing was mentioned as regards compensation of any kind to these indigents whose place of abode was destroyed.
Although they may have been given notice to relocate given the difficult times occasioned by the covid19 pandemic and consequent lockdown, how could these ones pay exorbitant rent so as to have a roof over their heads?
For the likes of Ngene, reeling from the pains of losing the only home she has known as far back as the late 1970s in addition to the little source of income is more than she can bear.
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