Relocation Is Unlawful, Says Social Critic,
Samuelson
The relocation of Ekeukwu Owerri market by the Imo
State government may take place on August 1st, 2016, a source close
to government circles Owerri revealed to INNONEWS.COM at the weekend.
Several online and print media outlets have also
speculated on the relocation date.
Relocating the market has sparked renewed tension between indigenes
of Owerri – owners of the market- and the Imo State government.
Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha told
journalists, Monday, July 11, 2016 in Owerri, that the Owerri ancestral market must be
relocated to Egbeada, a tiny village in Mbaitoli Local Government Area
.He said the present location of Ekeukwu is not
right as it has created filth and defaced Owerri city.
Relocating the market, according to him, is to
decongest Owerri which has been plagued by traffic logjam and disorderliness recently.
The Governor said removing the market from its present location is in line with
his administration’s urban renewal programme.
In a fierce reaction to the Governor’s claims,
Owerri women shut down the city by staging a peaceful protest and blocked
Government House, Owerri to announce their displeasure to the relocation of the
market by the Governor.
This development is followed by the resolve of some stakeholders
in Owerri who say they have written to the presidency and the leadership of the
All Progressive Congress, APC on the matter.
Okorocha is the Chairman, Progressive Governors
Forum (PGF), a body comprising 22 State Governors of the ruling APC.
As at Friday last week, INNONEWS.COM was told by one
of the anti Ekeukwu Owerre proponent that “we have written to President Buhari
on the matter”
He said on condition of anonymity “We have soon
shall make copies available to the media so that you can see what we wrote to the
President”
Meanwhile, a social critic, Ikenna Samuelson has
advised Governor Okorocha to thread with caution on his plans to relocate
Ekeukwu Market.
In an article titled “ Okorocha, Demolition of
Properties And Relocation of Ekeukwu Owerri”
Samuelson said Okorocha has not followed the path of the law in
relocating the market as he has failed to communicate to the Imo State House of
Assembly on the matter.
“One is in doubt if Okorocha ever sent an executive
bill asking the Imo State House of Assembly to authorize him to relocate Ekeuwu
Owerri market to another local government area".
“Since there is no such Bill before the Assembly,
and as such no Bill has been passed urging Okorocha to relocate the market, the
Governor’s planned relocation is illegal and infact dead on arrival” he said.
PHOTO: OWERRI WOMEN PROTESTING RELOCATION OF EKE UKWU OWERRE MARKET
No comments:
Write comments