•Imo CP, Others Commend Gesture
By Onyekachi Eze
Shop owners domiciled at the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) plaza at Egbu, in the Owerri North Council Area of Imo State, have heaved sigh of relief over the kick-off of the reconstruction of their burnt lock-up shops.
The gesture was in collaboration of the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) and Due Dons Nigeria Limited, whose CEO is Chief Don Okoli.
The ground breaking ceremony was performed yesterday, March 18, 2024 at the old site of the POWA plaza by the Commissioner of Police, Imo State, CP Aboki Danjuma.
Other prominent personalities; ACP Michael Abattam (the Owerri Area Commander), Men of the Nigeria Police Force, Chairperson of the Imo State POWA, Jemimah Danjuma Aboki, representatives from two financial institutions, business class and shop owners were elated at the latest development.
Earlier in his opening remarks, one of the traders at the place, Mr. Eze Innocent explained that their shops got burnt in the middle of the night in February 2, 2024 while they were asleep.
He pointed out that, not a single pin was recovered from any of the shops following the force of the inferno which lasted the whole night.
Mr. Innocent expressed gratitude that since then, the CP, his wife, and the CEO Due Dons Nigeria Limited, have remained committed to their welfare.
However, he was full of thanks that rather than renovation, they will become owners of brand new shops that would further accommodate more persons.
Another victim, Engr. Igwe Samuel narrated that the experience was horrible, a situation where people’s goods were razed down to ashes without a pin recovered.
He added, although they were grateful that no life was lost, still, they nurse their losses with the hopes of getting relief items.
Mr. Igwe was grateful to Mrs. Jemimah Danjuma Aboki for her motherly roles in showing them sympathy throughout the trial period.
Similarly, Chief Don Okoli was eulogized for coming at the right time when they were in dire need for aid.
The trader in his words confirmed that most of the shop owners lost over twenty million naira each while others ranges on lesser sums.
Against the backdrop, he beckoned for the State government’s assistance, while hoping that the place is completed at a stipulated time of three months.
Lending her voice, one of the occupants of the place, Lady Diamond Morison, described the impact of the fire as devastating, recalling that she was among the worst hits.
The lady was optimistic that good spirited individuals, government organs, particularly the governor would hearken to their plights in no distant time while the reconstruction work continues at the Bolanta Plaza, Egbu Road.
The Engineer incharge of the project, Engr. Charles Emeana disclosed that already, in keeping up to their promise of delivering the project within 90 days has involved competent hands with right building certifications.
The engineer also submitted that for the aim of building a standard structure, there will be toilet facilities in each of the stores as well as installation of fire apparatus. He told them to expect a quality job delivery and at the right time.
The Imo CP in his assertion disclosed it was his second time visiting the site, as he did come the day the shops got burnt.
CP Aboki charged the developer to stick to the plans of delivering the structure within ninety days with the view to cushioning the suffering of the shop owners whose shops got burnt.
On behalf of the governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, Aboki promised governments presence at the place and with palliatives, praying that they recover all they lost.
The CEO Due Dons Nigeria Limited, Chief Don Okoli, remarked that he has a destiny with putting roofs on peoples heads, with reference to the estates successfully built within a year in Lagos State, Area B new Owerri and other States.
Due Dons Boss added that he came to help the shop owners get new shops that will have a touch of modern facilities unlike the old ones that were burnt.
“We have done it before, this is not the first project we are handling in Imo. 90 days from today, the shops will be completed and we will all be back for the commissioning ceremony.
Speaking on the modality for shop allocation, Chief Okolie explained that with the original list numbering twenty-four owners, that it is settled and on a 50% discount.
Okoli extended hands of fellowship to POWA for their magnanimity.
In a related development, Chief Don Okoli revealed that Due Dons Nigeria Limited will in less than one year after the shop completion erect residential estates in the place, stressing that at Due Dons, quality and affordability are the watchword.
