LBY: EMMANUEL CHUKWUMA, ENUGU.
Business mogul and contractor Engr. Bernard Anyanwu-Nzerem, has urged the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma to intervene in respect the demolition of his shopping plaza in Owerri north, council area, valued at over ₦2.2 billion.
The multi-purpose complex, situated at number 1 Naze/Federal Polytechnic Junction, was razed to the ground while Engr. Nzerem was away in Lagos for a professional training program.
Engr. Nzerem described the incident as shocking and unlawful, highlighting that the action was carried out without notice, investigation, and any court order.
He alleged that the demolition was led by two government official Hon. Chinasa Nwaneri, Special Adviser to the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance, and Engr. Ikenna Elezieanya, Commissioner for Science, Technology, and Engineering.
According to him, both officials arrived with heavy machinery and security personnel to carry out the demolition exercise.
Engr. Benco explained that the land was originally purchased from NIPEC Nigeria Limited in 2010, a company that had legally acquired same from the Naze community in 1982.
He indicated that all land documents including the Certificate of Occupancy, Power of Attorney, and endorsements from representatives of the seven Naze clan were presented to government institutions for verification, including the Secretary to the state Government and security personnel.
He revealed that the documents were reviewed and validated by the Ministry of Lands, and that Barr. Enyinna Onuegbu, the Commissioner for Lands at the time, had confirmed the property’s legitimacy before construction began. “Yet, none of those approvals prevented the demolition”.
“Adding to my distress, five of my workers were arrested during the operation and detained for five days”.
Engr. Nzerem stressed that the structure accommodated dozens of shops and small businesses, and over 120 youths lost their means of livelihood after the destruction of the plaza.
He insisted that the property was not located on any land earmarked by the government for the proposed Central Bus Terminal.
The business mogul stated that the demolition was not for public interest but for private gain under the guise of state development.
He called on Governor Uzodimma to launch an independent investigation into the issue, ensure the responsible parties are held accountable, and grant him fair compensation for the loss of the investment.
Reacting, through a statement made available to newsmen, the Commissioner for Science Technology and Engineering, Hon Ikenna Elezieanya, supported the demolition, stressing that it was authorized by the Governor as part of a state-wide transportation development plan to establish Central Bus Terminals at Naze Junction, Egbu Road, and Owerri-Onitsha Expressway.
Hon. Elezieanya submitted that the land was government-owned and that Engr. Nzerem’s documents were outdated and invalid.
He said that the Surveyor General of Imo State and officials from the Ministry of Lands visited the site and confirmed that the structures were not legally approved.
He encouraged him to follow the proper channels and seek compensation from the Governor rather than resort to media campaigns and public accusations.
