From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
Attempt by the Imo State Government to relocate the state chapter of the Association of Deaf Persons from Owerri to the Orji, outskirts of the capital city, has met stiff resistance.
To make their position known, they took to the streets on Wednesday, July 20, protesting the demolition of their Secretariat at Wetheral Road, Owerri by officials of the Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRACO).
The special citizens marched to Government House, where they met with the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Nnamdi Anyaehie, who after confirming from the ENTRACO General Manager, Franklin Nkemakolam, promised to take their matter to Governor Hope Uzodimma for solution.
Earlier, their Chairman, Uzoma Edwards who spoke and was aided by an interpreter, said the office which was built by the administration of the late Chief Sam Mbakwe, had served as their worship, meeting and vocational centre before it was demolished.
Edwards disclosed that the commission embarked on the demolition exercise without a prior notice and warrant to the association: “They just came and started demolishing our office without any warrant, when I tried to question them, they beat me up and tore my clothes. We are begging the State Governor to please come to our rescue.”
However, he disclosed that the State Government asked them to relocate to their site at Orji in Owerri North Local Government Area which served as school for the deaf and dumb, but they rejected the offer because the place is far from the capital city.