Road dualization: Don’t demolish our house, things are hard, 72 year-old woman begs Soludo

Tony Okafor, Awka

In a tearful appeal, 72-year-old woman, Evangelist Azụka Obi, has begged Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State to spare her family’s 8-bedroom apartment from demolition in the ongoing dualization of the Amawbia/Agulu/Nanka/Ekwulobia/Uga/Akokwa road.

With a quivering voice and a heart full of sorrow, Azuka pleaded with the governor to consider the devastating impact that demolishing her home would have on her family.

She lamented,”We have nowhere else to go.This house is our only shelter, our heritage, and our legacy.”

Obi’s eyes welled up with tears as she recounted the memories attached to the property, which had been in their family for decades.

“We built this house with our sweat and tears. It’s the fruit of our labour, and it’s all we have left.”

The thought of losing their home is not only a financial burden but also an emotional blow to the family.

“Where will we go? How will we survive? We’re not against the dualization project, but we implore the government to consider our plight and find an alternative solution, Azuka lamented.

The elderly woman’s plea has struck a chord with the community, who are rallying behind her and other affected property owners.

“We understand the need for development, but we also believe that it shouldn’t come at the cost of displacing families and destroying their livelihoods,” said a neighbour.

As the fate of Obi’s family home hangs in the balance, the community is urging the government to show compassion and find a solution that balances progress with the welfare of its citizens.

The demolition of her property would not only leave her family homeless but also erase a part of their history and identity.

“We’re begging the government to spare our home, our heritage, and our future,” Azuka pleaded.

The clock is ticking, and the fate of the family home remains uncertain. Will the government heed their plea, or will they be left to pick up the pieces of their shattered dreams?

Meanwhile, Prof Levi Ezeaku, an in-law to the family has appealed to the government to consider the Nkwo Agulu alternative Amawbia-Agulu route, which, according to him, is not only a federal road, but had been the original route in the master plan.

Ezeaku said,”Besides, there are five villages along that route while the Agulu lake route is only one village and the people of the five villages want the road dualization pass through their area.

“However, if the only option remains the demolition, we should be adequately compensated so we are not rendered homeless.

Leadership of Agulu People’s Union had earlier assured those affected by the dualization plans that all hopes were not lost in the process.

The Public Relations Officer of the community, Chinazo Onwuazombe, said efforts were on to reduce the hardship to be suffered by the victims of the road dualization

He urged those from Agulu whose properties were marked for removal along the road to make available four (4) passport photograph and means of identification for necessary documentations.

He said,”While we urge everybody to stay calm and cooperate with the State Government, the Leadership of Agulu People’s Union is doing everything possible to reduce the extent of demolition that our people will suffer and ensure that those whose properties are due for compensation are adequately compensated.”