The Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN) has urged religious and corporate bodies in the state to cooperate with the Imo State government to fully realize the Assumpta Flyover, which is currently under construction.
It said it would not speak well for any religious or corporate body to impede the development initiated by the state government under the guise of protecting its property.
The Chairman of CAN, Imo State Chapter, Dr Eches Divine Eches made the appeal against the background of the refusal of the proprietors of Holy Ghost College Owerri to yield part of the College for the relocation of electric poles.
The Assumpta Flyover, which is one of the iconic signature projects of Gov Hope Uzodimma, is nearing completion, but some electric poles on the way will need to be relocated into the premises of Holy Ghost College to ensure easy flow ot traffic.
Although the government can acquire any land for developmental purposes for the good of the citizens, it still followed due process by formally asking the relevant authorities to allow the relocation of the affected poles into the school.
It was, however, learnt that the proprietors of the College bluntly refused, saying that no part of the school land would be touched.
Dr. Eches said the alleged refusal of the proprietors of the school, which is the Catholic Church, did not speak well of the body Christ as it could be labelled as anti development.
According to him, the government has already demonstrated honesty and humility by formally asking for the land in deference to the Church
” I know for a fact that the law empowers the government to acquire any land for the development of the state and the good of the citizens and thereafter pays a compensation. Since they have been civil about it, I think those concerned should be considerate.”
He cautioned against any action that would portray the Christians as being above the law or even challenging the authority of the government.
Said he, ” During the reconstruction of the Owerri-Umuahia Road, many property were pulled down, and the government compensated them. The owners of the property did not obstruct the development. Christians should therefore not be seen as obstructing government “
Dr Eches, therefore, appealed to the relevant authorities to cooperate with the government by allowing it to use part of the Holy Ghost College in relocating electric poles for the speedy completion of the Assumpta Flyover.
