The ENSG is on the defensive again following the outcry of an investor, Mr Ikechukwu Okeke, over what he termed the malicious demolition of his property at 100A, Independence Avenue, Independence Layout, Enugu by the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, ECTDA. Going by antecedents, the investor may shortly withdraw his statement with apology on the pretext that the demolition took place in his dream and not at the reported time of 1 am when God-fearing people were peacefully asleep.
Earlier in January, the media was awash with a similar incident at Centenary City. The flurry of conflicting statements from the police, governments media managers, including the ECTDA, made it possible for the discerning public to doubt that the subsequent recant of the victim’s well documented distress cry was not coerced.
This episode is worrisome for many reasons and raises critical questions about the mandate, way and manner in which the management of ECTDA discharge the important responsibility they have to ensure compliance with urban development laws.
I remain an advocate of law and order, and expect citizens to comply with extant town planning laws. I also respect the government's responsibility to maintain the Masterplan for the State but insist that the implementation must be done with decorum, empathy, and consideration for the state of our economy at this time.
Actions such as these that affect the livelihood of citizens must be effected with great sensitivity and adequate engagement. This pattern of releasing defensive statements crisis after crisis undermines the authority of government and further erodes the trust required to attract investors and encourage local businesses.
If the reported directive of the authorities for the demolished property to be rebuilt is correct, it gives credence to the version of events narrated by the victim in the short clip circulating that this action was motivated by a personal vendetta. It highlights problems of subjective law enforcement and circumventing the knowledge and authority of the governor.
Public officials cannot be law to themselves or place personal interests above the responsible delivery of his or her duties. The government must take full responsibility for the actions of the agency since its inception and call the management of the ECTDA to order.
It also begs the question of what resources will be expended to correct the actions of an errant public official. Public servants must be made accountable for their actions.
Enugu State is in dire need of economic recovery. The state's industrial sector was decimated under the last administration and the poor discharge of responsibility of ECTDA will undermine any government effort to project the state as an investment destination. These ill-advised actions should be replaced with incentives to encourage existing businesses, attract new investors, and radically reduce the unemployment rate in the State.
