By Okey Alozie
Imo My Pride Task Force bulldozer is set to land at Douglas and MCC roads owerri, Imo State to demolish illegal structures around the area.
In a chat with Trumpeta Monday the taskforce chairman, Hon Chief Iyke Okeigboananwa revealed that his men will stop at nothing in wiping out shanties and illegal structures in Owerri, adding that government bulldozers have been positioned to pull down unauthorized structures at Douglas, MCC roads and other strategic places in Owerri.
Our reporter who monitored the environment said fear has again began to grip owners of illegal structure in the area.
Information revealed that youths of Owerri have vowed to resist any move made by the task force to demolish any shop along at Douglas road
Some of the youths who spoke to our reporter said the Government is not empowering people very well. Moreover “the state Governor is not paying workers”. The youth leader submitted that other indigenes who spoke to our reporter raised eye brows on the Government for not fulfilling its promises on the people.
The women condemned in strong terms the demolition of structures that is going on in the state saying there is no money in the system to sustain the citizens. According to the aggrieved women, everybody in Owerri is hungry “the main thing to do now is to empower people adequately and not to destroy properties
According to them Government demolition will bring back crime in the state as those people who lost their shops will gang up to perfect criminal activities in Imo.
An eye witness account at control post told Trumpeta that what looked like father Christmas have began to take place there after the demolition of shanties, joints, shops and other business premises by the taskforce members.
Information revealed that Hoodlums have taken advantage of the demolition to cart away people properties. Our reporters revealed that victims of the demolition are now crying loud complaining to the authorities over their Double tragedy. One of the demolished shop owner who spoke to our reporter revealed that their money and valuable items were carried away by hoodlums who came in disguise as sympathizers “hoodlums besieged the place to loot and carted away peoples properties shortly after the structure at control post were pulled down” a politician in the area disclosed.
In a related development serious confusion is said to have hit World Bank market over the sale of premises
Just on Wednesday morning reporter revealed that police shot one of the traders during a misunderstanding between the security men and traders of the market.
Our source revealed that the police men stormed the place to force the traders away but were resisted by the villagers and traders on the process a young man was shot.
Therefore the villagers and traders of World Bank market resolved go on rampage and finally came to Imo Government House to show their grievances. They complained to the Government official that they were harassed, intimidated and forced out of their market adding that their goods were destroyed and a youth shot at the leg.
The youth task force leader, Hon Chibuzo Kamalu who narrated the ordeal said the problem started in February 2015. The youth leader said Umuguma people and neighbourhood of world bank protested against the sale and unknowingly as he revealed, the police came with force to quit traders in the process shot one person.
After his submission the SA to the Governor on special duties Hon Barr. Emma Ezediro and other Government officials who listened to the protesters denied having knowledge of the matter before now adding that Governor Rochas Okorocha, the captain of the rescue mission will not put hand in anything that brings tears to the people. Barr Ezediro promised that Imo Government will always protect the interest of all the trader in the area.
He assured them that the boy who was shot at his leg will be treated and released without delay adding that they should all go back to the world bank market to continue their business without fear promising also that the state government will get to the rout of the whole trouble and bring a lasting peace to the market.
When contacted, the traditional ruler of Umuguma Community, in Owerri West Local Government Area, HRH Eze George Ugorji said he was wrongly accused by the youth task force leader.
“I did not sail any World Bank market neither did I transact any business concerning the place with Mr Richard Okwu”. The Royal father said.
