*_…Govt can go ahead with planned demolition – property owners_*

FROM: LarryBravo, Nwaiwu, Enugu

Property and business owners affected by the decision of the Enugu state government to build a modern terminal station and other world-class facilities at the Market Road, Nigerian Railway  Corporation base, have acknowledged the receipts of compensation made to them by the administration of Governor Peter Mbah, stressing that they received the compensation 8 months after evacuation notice was served on them with relocation option.

Some of the beneficiaries of the compensation, speaking to newsmen on Tuesday at the Holy Ghost/Ogbete Market, said the state government had already fulfilled their contract terms with them even as they added that the government could go ahead with its planned demolition of the shanties and other empty structures on the land, including their evacuated properties.

They also stated that, with the alternative premises and land provided for them by the government, they’d started relocating to their new sites and hope to attract their customers through appropriate notices.

According to the Managing Director of A.C Decanal Company Limited, Dr. Mrs Ngozi Ezinne Nnamani, who commended the governor for living up to his promise, said that she received her compensation today.

She called on other property owners affected to support the government in its efforts to transform the state, maintaining that their fears and doubt about the project had been allayed through the compensation, provision for the relocation of their businesses and the right of first refusal given to them by the government.

Also lending his voice, the manager of the Eastern Mass Transit said the project was a welcome development as it would address the traffic and security  challenges in the area.

He explained that they would be happy if the government extended the 8 months notice given to them but added that they’d started bracing up for the development.

Some of the palm kernel dealers at the property who spoke to newsmen said they would adapt to the new environment provided for them to carry on their business.

A visit to some of the facilities indicated that many of the businesses had already relocated with relocation notices on the walls of their premises.

For example, the ECOBANK PLC, the First City Monument Bank, City Fem Computers among others had already relocated with notices of relocation boldly hunged on their gates.

According to the Ministry of Transportation, the modern terminal station would be built at the Holy Ghost area to address gridlock, expand business network and transform transport system in the state.