Abia Commences Payment of Compensation on 130 Buildings Marked for Demolition in Umuahia

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia


The Abia State government will Monday commence the payment of compensation to owners of 130 buildings that have finally been marked for demolition to make way for the expansion of the main entry into Umuahia, the state capital.

The state Commisioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije, broke the cheering news weekend during a townhall meeting with the affected communities and property owners held at the Ochendo International Conference Centre, Umuahia.

He said that the initial plan to pay compensation to the property owners was dropped after the governor rejected the idea when it was presented to him.

According to him, at the conclusion of the processes of enumeration of the properties, evaluation and identification of the owners, Otti directed that every identified property owner should be paid compensation in full.

He announced that payment of compensation would effectively commence Monday, September 25, adding that everything in connection with the issue of compensation has been transparently worked out to the last detail.

The commissioner stated that government would pay compensations on 130 properties that have been marked for demolition to pave the way for the expansion of Ossah road to six lanes from express tower to Okpara Square.

“The process has started. Before, I said we will pay but now we have started,” he said, adding that the list of those to receive compensation has been uploaded and sent to the state’s Accountant General for action.

Chukwumerije said that indemnity forms were earlier issued to property owners to fill with their bank details and returned to the ministry which would issue them indemnity certificates to receive compensation.

He explained that after receiving their compensation, every property owner was required to come back to the Ministry of Lands “for documentation” to prevent future claims.

The townhall meeting, which was interactive, was attended by property owners from the four communities affected by the road expansion project.

The communities include Ossah, Umuoriehi, Mgbaja and Amankwo, all traversed by the road leading from the “Tower of Peace” along Umuahia axis of Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway to Okpara Square inside the capital city.

Apart from the commissioner for lands, the  General Manager, Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), Mr. Kingsley Agomoh, and a representative of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, were on hand to address the concerns raised by the property owners.

A property owner and Ossah native, Mr. Ugochukwu Emezue, raised the issue of some property owners not yet captured for compensation, but Chukwumerije said that such “exceptional cases” would be treated.

Request was made by the property owners that more time should be given to them after payment of compensation to enable people salvage their belongings and relocate before commencement of demolition.

But it appeared government was not ready for extra time as the land commissioner insisted that “we’re on injury time and our equipment are ready to move in any time (and start demolition)”.

“We have a responsive and responsible government. We are not in a hurry to demolish but in a hurry to develop the state,” Chukwumerije said.