The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, has pledged to pacify all those whose residential buildings were demolished in the ongoing widening of Afor Nnobi roundabout in Idemili South Local Government Area of the State.
Soludo, during a meeting with Nnobi traditional ruler, Igwe Nick Obi, and stakeholders of the town at the Light House, Awka, on Thursday, directed the Commissioner for Works, Arc Okey Ezeobi, to facilitate the construction of beneficial accommodation and subsequent relocation of three persons whose residential homes were demolished.
He said the demolition and subsequent construction work were meant to widen the Afor Nnobi roundabout to a five lane junction, so that the gridlocks previously associated with the area, especially at festive seasons, would be a thing of the past.
While enumerating the benefits of the ongoing reconstruction, the governor said he has the interest of Anambra and Nnobi people at heart; adding that those affected badly by the exercise would not be abandoned.
Soludo also told the people to ensure that the new site for construction of ultramodern Afor Nnobi market is ready in a couple of days, so that construction work and subsequent relocation of traders will be done as soon as possible.
He maintained that the government will not seat back to watch people affected by demolition exercise roam about without any means of livelihood.
“Nnobi is personal to me. I want your community to become one of the best in Anambra State,” Soludo said.
He suggested that if the demolition exercise would be delayed for the next ten to twenty years, it would affect much more properties, as more development may have come by then.
He said that similar roundabouts would be built at Eke Nkpor, Orie Agu Abagana, and some areas with a view to making Anambra State beautiful, and making vehicular and human movement easier.
Earlier, the President General of Nnobi Town Union, Chief Sir Alloy Olubialu, said that the purpose of the meeting was to avail the Nnobi stakeholders and the Anambra State government the opportunity to discuss issues of relocating the Afor Nnobi market to a new site, as well as possible compensation of people whose houses and means of livelihood were affected by the demolished.
He said the community came to present the people’s predicament to the governor, and expressed gratitude to the governor for availing them the opportunity.
Also, a member of the delegation, High Chief Hamilton Ezeonu, said he was particularly moved to seek audience with the governor because of sleepless nights he had since many traders and residents were displaced due to the ongoing road reconstruction work.
“My people have been feeling horrible since most of them were displaced as a result of the ongoing road construction work at Afor Nnobi round about. When I heard about the development, I could not sleep, because, everything about Nnobi is very personal to me. This is why, Your Excellency, I took it upon myself to contact you, so that our people can lay our anxieties before him.”
High Chief Ezeonu, while requesting the governor to ensure that the project moves as fast as possible to ensure timely relocation and compensation of the affected persons, equally assured the governor of continued support of Nnobi people; saying that the governor have laudable intentions for the people.