Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Enugu State Government, has met with some leaders of Aguowa community on the outskirts of Enugu city as part of the plans to demolish all slums in Enugu city by the end of 2026.
During the meeting the state government said that eye-marking of property owners at Aguowa would begin on Friday, 25th April, while a two-week deadline set for the submission of title documents to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government would commence on Monday, 28th April.
Speaking, the Commissioner for Housing, Dr Martin Chukwunweike, made some clarifications concerning the process of the verification.
He said that simply submitting property documents would not be enough for the verification, adding that each property owner would stand with the document in the said property for eye-marking.
“The verification process will go beyond submitting property documents.
“We want to do physical verification.
“We will do eye-marking; you stand before the property, and we ascertain the property, the size, the document you have – if it is Certificate of Occupancy or not – then the government will decide the property that is conducive to stay, and the one to go,” he said.
He said that Governor Peter Mbah had planned that there would be no slums in Enugu city by 2026.
“That is why this exercise is important.
“The governor said we will help those who have issues with the title because if you do not have a valid title document, you can not be entitled to relocation.
“The relocation process will also be at no cost,” the commissioner said.
Dr. Ikechukwu Nebo, a stakeholder from Aguowa community, thanked the commissioner for the way things were being resolved.
“Governor Peter Mbah promised to carry the people of Aguowa along in what they are doing, and that has been the case.
“I thank the commissioner for the way and manner this meeting has resolved the issue of old and new. Everybody is happy,” he said.
Mrs Ifeyinwa Ozoaka, a resident of Aguowa said she would support all government efforts to see that Aguowa is developed, but urged the government to have human face while embarking on the relocation or resettlement process.
“If the government has an intention to redevelop Aguowa, it is a good path and a laudable idea, but when the government wants to start this process, they should wear the emblem of humanity and human face,” she counselled.
