*BY OKECHUKWU NWOSU*
Residents of Owerri, Imo State capital at the weekend resorted to removing illegal structures by themselves to avoid demolition by a Government Special Task Force enforcing the removal of illegal structures in the city.
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It was observed that after announcements were made intimating shops owners of the impending demolition, most of the shop owners resorted to removing facials infront of their shops.
At Tetow Road, School Road and other major roads in Owerri, some shop owners decided to heed to the warning by removing supposed illegal structures. In some other major streets , the story was the same.
The Imo State Government had last week descended on shop owners especially those it termed illegal and demolished most of their structures.At Douglas Road, Owerri where most of the demolition took place, victims of the demolition are yet to recover from the shock of the destruction of their wares lamenting that they are yet to recover from the damage.
A Government Task force had invaded Douglas road and other streets close to the demolished Eke Ukwu Owerri market sacking those it said posses illegal structures.
The exercise had attracted fresh reactions as key stakeholders in the State opposed the exercise.
A Federal lawmaker, Hon. Ezenwa Onyewuchi in a statement condemned the act. The lawmaker who represents Owerri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives condoned the wanton destruction.