government’s move to demolish his house in the ongoing road expansion
project in Owerri, calling it a “death sentence.” The octogenarian who
happens to be blind, has threatened to die in the rubble of his house,
if government follows through with its intentions.
Osuji who according to Vanguard
complained there has been no talks of compensation despite the fact
that his building which has been marked ‘remove’ was approved by Owerri
Capital Development Authority, OCDA – the organisation in charge of the
demolition. He also noted that the house met all regulatory standards
when it was built 22 years ago.
“There was no engagement for payment of compensation to me now or
in the future. It is on the strength of that I want to alert the public
on the injustice. Pulling down the house where I have my PR
communication outfit, which employs some Imo youths and also get income
to sustain my family will adversely affect me.
“As a very senior citizen in my 80s, frail and weak, pulling down
this my house is tantamount to sentencing me to death. “My choice will
be to allow the building to collapse on me if that is what the authority
wants. I was made to understand that yesterday, OCDA staff came and
marked my little building at number 54 Mbaise Road by Amaram Street
‘remove’.
“I built this little house 22 years ago, when I had my sight and
was active. The house met all statutory requirements and was approved by
OCDA. I am now a senior citizen with full vision impairment and a
national awards recipient; if this my house is pull down, where will I
go?”
Dr Osuji who once served as the Director-General of Imo State Mass
Mobilisation Agency has pleaded with Governor Rochas Okorocha to spare
his house on compassionate grounds.
“I came home 36 years ago from the United States to help develop
my society and have paid my dues. I deserve no raw deal after all my
services to my fatherland,” he said.