The Ohaneze Ndigbo has expressed concern about the planned demolition of some Alaba Market property dominated by Igbo traders.
Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, stated this in a statement issued by the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, on Saturday in Enugu.
Ohaneze stated that since the disturbing news broke, they have conducted investigations to determine the true state of affairs.
“The attention of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has been drawn to several fake publications circulating on social media alleging a decision by the Lagos State Government to take actions to victimise Igbo citizens domiciled in Lagos,” Iwuanyanwu said.
According to his investigation, one reliable source, Comrade Chinedu Ukatu, Member of the Lagos State Market Advisory Council, said, “The Lagos State Environment and Development Authority has been issuing warnings regarding the obstruction of some waterways.”
Ukatu, the President of the Ndigbo-Amaka Progressive Market Association in Lagos, went on to say that “all that happened at Alaba and the emergency visit by state government officials were directly about those blocking the free flow of water through the provided waterways.”
Ukatu clarified that the directive has “nothing to do with plazas and shops on markets or along market roads.”
He urged everyone to “disregard the statements and video messages trending on the internet and admonished that such propaganda was not necessary for the Igbos at this time.”
Another Alaba resident, Chief Ikechukwu Okolo, told Ohaneze that some structures were built on waterways, obstructing drainage and causing flooding, particularly during the rainy season.
Okolo added that “the owners of the affected structures have since been notified for months, but as we can see, each time the execution order was to be carried out, corrupt government officials were compromised, and the flooding challenge continues to this day.”
Chief Evaristus Ozonweke, an Ohaneze chieftain living in Lagos, has also backed up the above assertion. Iwuanyanwu urged the Lagos State Environment and Development Authority (LASEDA) to exercise caution and good judgement in carrying out their duties, and he urged the Igbo in Lagos to remain calm.
He indicated a pressing need to visit Lagos and the South West in the coming weeks, as he was confident that all of the challenges confronting the Igbo in Lagos would be addressed during his visit.
NAN
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