GOVERNMENT OF IMO STATE

PRESS RELEASE

SUBJECT: ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS TO OUR FIRST PRESS RELEASE ON THE RELOCATION OF EKEUKWU OWERRI MARKET

It has come to our knowledge, the deliberate and Concerted effort being made by some elements who do not love Progress to use the relocation of the Ekeukwu Owerri market, to blackmail the government of the day and perhaps cause undue tension in the State.

These people who have refused or failed to appreciate the good of relocating Ekeukwu market Owerri to a more acceptable area have been dishing out rumours upon rumours including rumours of people being shot dead. These are wicked rumours.

The truth is that the Market is government’s Property and it is the decision of the government to relocate it to a better place and such action could not have led to such incident.

The Security Personnel around the market were there to ensure peace and they played that role professionally.

We are also aware that before now the hoodlums who have been using the market and environs as areas of their Operations have been threatening fire and brimstone over the government’s decision to move the market.

These hoodlums had also embarked on looting which led their being Confronted by some of the traders and it took the timely intervention of the Security Personnel to restore Order in that part of the market.

Unfortunately, those who hate progress have gone out with certain disturbing Claims and have also posted some photographs that have nothing to do with the Owerri issue on the social media just to see if they could discredit the government and the patriotic action taken in the overall interest of the State.

And Nigerians who have been following events in the State would attest that for almost two years the government has been announcing its intention to relocate the Ekeukwu Market to a better place.

The governor has asked the Security agencies in the State to investigate the rumours for the truth to be ascertained.

Sam Onwuemeodo

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

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former press release.

This is to inform the general Public that Ekeukwu Market Owerri has finally been moved from its Current location at the centre of Owerri, the State Capital, to its new location at Ohi near Owerri amid jubilation by patriotic residents. The relocation of the market is in line with the Urban renewal programme of the State Government.

The market was moved Saturday morning, August 26, 2017, and almost two years the government had announced its good intention to relocate the market to a more conducive site, in the spirit of its Urban Renewal Pursuit.

The government has taken this noble action to equally recover Douglas Road that Connects the State with other neighbouring States which has remained a refuse dump for the traders in the market, and to deal once and for all, with the prevalent criminal activities in the area like robbery, cultism and kidnapping.

The action was a peaceful one and with the successful relocation of the Market to a better area, the government will now go ahead to rebuild Douglas road and realize its lofty dream of making Owerri a beffiting City.

The governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and the Rescue Mission Government he heads Commend the traders involved and the people of the State in general for their Cooperation and understanding. And by the peaceful Conduct of the traders they have shown that they appreciate government’s good intention to make Owerri an enviable State Capital.

Sam Onwuemeodo

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

UP NEXT , A PRESS RELEASE ABOUT THE TWO PRESS RELEASES

here are pictures of the new site the traders were forced to relocate to.

more

Instead of appologising for gunning down a 14 year old kid, you're saying its that people dont like good thing.
Dear Rochas OkoroHAUSA, if you ever escape dieing a miserable death, may your childrens children never escape a miserable life.

FROM A PAINED IMO INDIGENE...

road to the site

I

It is really unfortunate!

First of all, may the soul of that little boy rest in perfect peace, Amen.
Rochas keep doing what you like, obviously there's a day of reckoning, this case I understand is still in court, why not wait for the outcome of the court judgement before proceeding to demolish, the executive in this country has no respect for the judiciary when the orders are against them, but are quick to implement it when it is in their favour.
Looking at the press release, there's no regard for the loss of life, also looking at the picture posted above if true, the place of relocation is not yet completed and you want people to start relocating to an uncompleted project, secondly how are the shades there been allocated, is there any form of consideration ln the allocation of shades or are people made to pay through their noses before they get the shades, is this even the best time to embark on this exercise considering the fact that the country is still in recession and everybody is managing whatever thing they have, Rochas has no respect for the wish of the people that employed him and has no respect for the rule of law, but he should remember there is karma and the blood of the innocent spilled will forever speak for justice