Demolition Of Akanu-Ibiam Park; All Parties Were Carried Along, Government Explains

The Special Assistant to Ebonyi State Governor on Capital City, Hon. Stanley Okoro Emegha, have explained that the demolition of Akanu- Ibiam Park was done on mutual agreement and understanding with Government and the occupant of the park, with no intention of victimizing or witch-hunting any one.

He said that, prior to the commencement of the demolition, the traders and the transport union involved, had series of meeting with government, at a point they also met the state governor, Engr David Umahi. They were presented with three options, the first was for government to build and re-allocate to them, the second option was for them to build with government specifications and supervision, while the last option was for government to assist them secure loan from financial institutions. In the end, they accepted the second option which is to build. Government is now saddled with the responsibilities of asphalting and providing street lights in the park.

Hon. Emegha stated that from the inception till the commencement of the demolition exercise, the traders and the transport union were fully involved and dully carried along. ‘’The aim is to give the park a befitting standard that can compete with any other park in the developed countries across the globe’’ he said. He assured that the park will be ready within three weeks and when it is fully completed, Ebonyians will be proud of the governor they have and will appreciate him more.

On the timing, Hon. Stanley Okoro Emegha maintain that though, no governor can comfortably embark on such activity on a critical time as this, but it goes a long way to show that Governor Umahi is fully out to work for the good of the people and not a pretender. He further said that Gov. Umahi is a leader who is in a hurry to develop the state to an enviable standard and urge all to support his effort for him to do more for the people.

Responding, a shop owner in the park, Mr Fidelis Nwibo a native of Abaja in Abakaliki LGA of the state, said that he is totally happy with what is going on because they were fully carried along and he is totally in support of the developmental effort of Engr David Nweze Umahi. Another respondent, Mr Nwite Augustine who is also a shop owner in the park posited that though, it is not easy but it is always what characterized development. He said they were all carried along in all stages of discussion but urge the government to provide another place for them to ameliorate their suffering pending the completion of the park.

In all, Ebonyi Times gathered that the demolition of the park followed due process as all the stakeholders which comprises the Transport Union and the Traders Union had full knowledge of the exercise and were in support of the action.