His Royal Majesty, Eze Sir Dandy PA Ogalabu, Ugo 1 of Apu Na Ekpu Kingdom in Isialangwa North, has made a solemn call on the Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti to intervene in the dispute between him and the Ministry of Works, arising from the intended dualization of the Umuikaa Road.
The state government, under the Ministry of Works had served notices on house owners along the road after marking the houses for demolition and reportedly gave them seven days to vacate the premises.
Among the houses marked for demolition were a fuel station at Umuikaa junction and a two-storey building which belongs to His Royal Majesty, Eze Sir Dandy PA Ogalabu. Due to the short time given, he went to the court, to determine if the seven days given by the Ministry of Works was fair, a matter which is still not resolved.
Further, there was no due process for compensation and dialogue. Recently, the Governor visited the project site and declared that the Government has paid damages to everyone whose house is involved. However, HRM, Eze Sir Dandy says he has not been compensated, nor negotiations completed.
He said he believes in the Governor and keys into the vision of expanding the road which is one of the busiest and most strategic rural roads in the state, connecting travelers from the Enugu-Port-Harcourt Expressway to Obikabia roundabout in Ogborhill.
“I am not against the Government. I believe in the Governor and his vision.”
“But I also believe that some of those entrusted with executing these duties may not be acting with full transparency and fairness.”
He said that the Attorney General of the state had requested an out-of-court settlement and he has submitted his documents and valuation for the properties, yet there has been no response.
Although his properties still stand, the king kindly calls on Governor Otti to intervene in order for him to get compensation for his property as the Government had intended.