Emma Elekwa
Community leaders and shop owners on Saturday staged a peaceful protest over recent demolition of a section of new building materials lockup shops at Nkwo Market Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The protesters marched across the market axis displaying placards with various inscriptions as “Soludo help shop owners”, “Peter Obi help us”, “Shop Owners are dying,” “Soludo come and save Agulu people”, among others.
Speaking with newsmen, President General of the community, Sir Emmanuel Ibeneme alleged that the demolition involved officials of Anambra State Physical Planning Board (ANSPPB).
” Some people came from the physical planning board to destroy the shops. After receiving information, I came to stop the caterpillar that was pulling down the structures,” he said.
Regretting the action carried out on Wednesday, Ibeneme said leadership of the community has initiated move to ensure amicable resolution of the issue.
Chairman, Nkitaku village Agulu, Basil Emegwamuo alleged that Peter Obi’s sibling, Damian, carried out the demolition.
He alleged that Damian had perpetuated similar act using force and intimidation over land related matters.
Second incident
” This is the second time Damian Obi is destroying structures at the site, troubling the builders to remove some buildings to enable them to have a parking lot for their property”
He admitted that ANSPPB had served them a notice of demolition which was to lapse within 14 days.
Emegwamuo regretted that the act was carried out before the expiration of the notice.
He affirmed that the state government had given a directive requesting for relocation of Nwagu Building Material Market to Nkwo Market to decongest the Nwagu Agulu axis.
“We have paid to ANSPPB in order to approve the building and are not building it illegally.
“But they have not given us that approval. We are pleading to the state governor to come to our aid because we don’t want to take the law into our hands.
“Let him come and save us from this atrocity”
Also speaking, Youth Chairman of the Community, Eric Mmaduagwu regretted that the 14 days ultimatum issued by the physical planning board was yet to expire before the demolition.
Mayor’s attention drawn
He noted that upon knowledge of the demolition, he quickly drew the attention of the Mayor of Anaocha Local Government Area, Mr Rom Ibekwe, who assured of speedy intervention.
A concerned stakeholder and Chairman, Agulu People’s Union, South Africa, Frank Anyaeche, described the development as strange inhumane, unlawful, and not consistent with the think home philosophy of the state government.
He argued that the act must have been committed by some unscrupulous elements, poised to frustrate development and investment in the community.
Anyaeche called on Governor Soludo to intervene and provide relief to save the shop owners from emotional trauma and further suffering.
