Imo begins demolition of buildings on green verges

• Governor approves free fuel for commercial bus operators
• Rewards journalists, pledges to make state better

Following earlier warning issued by the Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA), the Imo State Government has commenced demolition of houses and fuel stations built on green verges.

General Manager of OCDA, Francis Chukwu, who disclosed this, yesterday, during a road walk in Owerri by officials of the agency, informed that the facilities comprised storey buildings and a fuel station built on the green verges in the capital city, adding that the demolition followed the expiration of the ultimatum.

The OCDA boss hinted that the recreation parks would be built on the green verges as originally planned for the capital city.

He also disclosed that in a bid to reclaim the status of Owerri and its aesthetics, those who built shanties and street traders had been given till the end of this month to relocate to approved locations.

Chukwu hinted that demolition of the illegal structures would commence at the expiration of the ultimatum in January 2022.

He warned that henceforth, there would be no illegal structures in the city, maintaining that the state government was determined to restore the Owerri master plan.

BESIDES, the governor approved free petrol distribution to some commercial bus operators in the state.

In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Imo Governor on Transport and Motor Parks, Kenneth Okafor, he disclosed that the beneficiaries started picking free fuel tickets yesterday.

MEANWHILE, Uzodimma also rewarded some outstanding journalists, who won awards in the 2020 Governor Hope Uzodimma Media Merit Awards, during which he presented them letters of recognition and N500, 000 each.
During the event, which held at the Government House, Owerri, the governor commended the committee chaired by former Chairman of the Imo chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Fidel Onyeneke, for carrying out the assignment diligently and congratulated the winners.

Uzodimma, who pledged that under his watch the state would excel to the admiration of the people of the state and beyond, urged patience among the people to actualise his dream for the state, adding that he would continue to encourage excellence in journalism.

The Guardian learnt that he initiated the annual awards, which involved calling for entries from various categories including news writing, features, documentary and other forms of presentation by journalists in print and electronic media and subsequent selection of the best in the categories according the criteria set by the committee.

He used the opportunity to warned those who thrive in attempting in pulling down his administration through blackmail and other like forms, to desist and reminded journalists that what they publish could make or mar anyone or institution.