By Tony Adibe
The Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah has been commended for his quick intervention in demolishing an illegal structure built by a certain developer who refused to listen to the “voice of reason” by building on a government reserved area.
An Enugu-based Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), in a letter entitled, “Thanks For Your Intervention; Re: Urgent Need To Condemn And Restrain The Man Who Removed The Post Marking The Area By The Roadside To Ebeano Tunnel “A Green Area” And Commenced Illegal Construction Thereat,” and signed by its President, Olu Omotayo, Esq, said that the Governor’s rapid response to the issue, only demonstrated how “responsible and responsive” the administration could be in matters .
Omotayo, in the Thank You Letter, had stated: “We write to you in respect of the above-mentioned matter, to thank you for your intervention in respect of this matter. It would be recalled that we had earlier raised an alarm and urged for your intervention when one Mr. Chukwuemeka Oliver Omeke, who claimed to be a Developer, in conjunction with some officials of Ministry of Environment went into the area marked “Green Area” which is situates by the road on the way towards Ebeano tunnel, almost opposite the abandoned Enugu State Diagnostics Center. The intruder had removed the Signpost (marking the place a “Green Area”) and ordered his workmen to start construction on the land.
“We had also condemned the destruction of the properties and flowers of the artisans selling and planting flowers which beautify the place and pleaded with Your Excellency that building any structure on that narrow piece of land marked “Green Area” will distort the master plan of that area and that whatever structure built on that place will be in grave violation of Extant Town Planning Laws of Enugu state which must be resisted by the good government of Enugu State.”
The Right Group said it was “highly commendable” that Governor Mbah’s intervention stopped “further illegal construction thereat and thereafter demolition of the illegal construction was carried out on Friday the 6th day of October 2023.”
CRRAN observed that the hallmark of Democracy is the respect for the Rule of Law and to uphold same. “The action of the government in preserving the Green Area and at the same time condemning the action of the Developer and his encroachment on the rights of the artisans planting flowers thereat clearly show a responsive and responsible government which believes in the respect for the fundamental rights of the citizens,” stated the right body.
