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Against the backdrop of last week’s announcement by the Abia State government that demolition of affected properties for the Ossah-Okpara Square Road expansion would commence soon, some of the affected owners have started removing their properties.
This precaution is being taken to prevent being caught off guard by government bulldozers.
During a town hall meeting with affected residents of Ossah Ibeku and Ohuhu villages and other claimants last week, State Commissioner for Lands and Housing Chaka Chukwumerije informed them that Governor Alex Otti had approved that they be paid their compensations in full.
He announced that the payments commenced from last weekend, adding that demolitions would commence after the property owners got their money in their bank accounts.
The Lands and Housing Commissioner also used the town hall meeting to notify the affected persons that 130 buildings would be affected by the road expansion demolitions, assuring that only the buildings marked by the Abia State Ministry of Works would be pulled down after their owners had been compensated.
Responding to the appeal by some occupants for the State government to grant them more period to relocate, the Commissioner said the owners had already been given six weeks to relocate, adding that there may be no further extension.
He did not however say the exact day the demolition would commence.
A trip around Okigwe park, Ossah by Abia Tower junction on Monday by DAILY POST reporter showed that more than 15 buildings have had their roofs and iron doors removed by their owners.
Some property owners were also seen supervising the removal of their own property in readiness for eventual demolition.
It was not confirmed if those removing their properties have had their compensations already paid or not as one of the Ossah indigenes who spoke to this reporter said the issue of payment is a confidential information between him and the State government.
