Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), has petitioned Governor Peter Mbah over the violation of his directive on “reclaim of green area along Ebeano tunnel road” in the heart of Enugu city.
This was contained in a letter addressed to the governor and made available to Ikengaonline in Enugu by CRRAN President, Olu Omotayo Esq.
In the letter entitled: “Countermand of State Governor’s Order on Reclaim of Green Area along Ebeano Tunnel Road by the Managing Director Enugu State Capital Territory Development Authority is Anarchical and Regrettable,” the group drew the attention of governor to its earlier letter on the subject matter.
The statement further said: “We had earlier written a commendation letter to you on the 10th October 2023, for stopping the activities of one, Mr. Chukwuemeka Oliver Omeke, who claimed to be a Developer, and acting 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 and removed the Signpost (marking the place a “Green Area”) and ordered his workmen to start construction on the land.
“We were impressed when we learnt that on your instruction the illegal constructions were demolished on Friday the 6th day of October 2023.
“Surprisingly, the said developer came back on the 12th October 2023, and started massive construction on the same spot.
“When we learnt that the developer was acting on the approval of the Managing Director of Enugu State Capital Development Authority and some top government officials, we sent text message to the Managing Director but got no response.”
CRRAN expressed sadness on the sudden turn of events saying “it is saddening and disgraceful that in a democratic government some appointees of the government could be so powerful to upturn the decision of the chief executive officer of the state.
“More worrisome is the said Allocation paper the developer claimed he got from Housing Corporation which states that “HOUSE C in Fidelity Estate” is allocated to him.”
Omotayo said It was against common sense that allocation inside Fidelity Estate could be interpreted to mean outside the Fidelity Estate.
“We submit that until public officials are made to face criminal prosecutions for atrocities committed while in office, this type of lawlessness will continue to drag governments in developing countries back.
The group said that as a civil society, it could not shirk away from always drawing the attention of the authorities to illegality of few government officials against the citizens and the state, adding that the hallmark of democracy was the respect for the “Rule of Law” and the upholding of same.
