The Government of Anambra State has said the state is striving to be livable and prosperous one governed by law and order, and cannot create different rules for the rich and another for poor people.
The state government stated this in reaction to the recent demolition of the Nnewi showroom of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing, IVM, Limited, makers of Innoson motors.
There have been controversies about the demolition, which also affected the home of the late leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Bianca Ojukwu and a church building.
The demolition was to give way for the construction of a new road linking Nnewi to Ozubulu and Ihiala. Controversy started after a content creator posted on social media that Anambra State government embarked on the demolition without notifying Innoson, damaging some of their vehicles in the showroom.
But in a press release by the oCmmissioner of Information in the state, Dr Law Mefor, he insisted that the company was notified since November, while a meeting was also held a month before with all those whose properties were affected.
Mefor said the state government cannot create separate rules for rich people like Innoson, and another for poor people, but will treat all citizens equally.
He said: “Since the inception of the Soludo administration, there has been no instance where demolition or removal of structures was undertaken without due process and consultation with critical stakeholders.
“On October 31, 2024, a notice of a stakeholders' meeting was issued to all concerned and affected persons whose businesses and properties were on the right-of-way along the Nnewi-Ozubulu-Onitsha federal highway.
“This meeting was convened in the office of the Anambra State Commissioner for Works on November 1, 2024, after which a public announcement was issued, followed by a removal notice and marking of affected structures, which was activated on November 19, 2024.
“Dr Innocent Chukwuma knows that he was given notice several months ago and he spoke to several people about it more than three months ago, including a call to the Governor. Unfortunately, while we appreciate the high position of Innoson in the society, we cannot have a different set of rules for Innoson and another one for others.
“Making Anambra livable and prosperous requires a state governed by law and order for everyone and not one where exceptions are made for the powerful,” Mefor said.
The Commissioner insisted that all Anambra citizens are equal in the eyes of the law, insisting that some other prominent people lost properties and businesses in the demolition exercise.
He commiserated with them but added that development must go on unhindered for the governor to achieve his goal for the state.
