In the last few weeks, it’s been tears of pains and anguish as the Delta state government via the ministry of transport and works have commenced a full scale demolition of “illegal structures’’ in Sapele, Delta state. In view of the foregoing, I wish to make the following submission:
1.To keep quiet is not only inhuman, but also inhumane. We assault the victims more by our silence. Indifference to evil is the greatest evil itself, hence I am using this medium to speak up regarding this thorny issue, because of its telling effect on the already impoverish inhabitants of Sapele who have over the years suffered neglects and marginalization from successive government in the state.
2.Every sensitive and people oriented government should have given those alleged to have built or placed illegal structures on major roads sufficient time to comply with government directive. A month or two month notice would have been appropriate in this regards, considering the fact that the government didn’t wake up with the demolition plan overnight. This was however not the case, as the task force involved in the exercise suddenly descended on innocent citizens with their bulldozers leaving in its wake rubble and tears that may take years to assuage. One fact that must be made clear here, is that no sane individual or citizen is against any responsible government planning to bring about beautification and development, but such plans must be properly implemented and the people properly carried along in all the stages of implementation. These structures that have been demolished are the source of livelihood of more than 70% of men and women in Sapele, as government has over the years failed woefully to provide employment opportunities for these same people whose source of livelihood has been destroyed.
3.What is good for the goose is equally good for the gander. I refuse to accept the assertion by the state government that the demolition exercise is devoid of bias, as veritable evidence on ground seems to prove otherwise. A situation where houses, structures and caravans of influential individuals and organizations are spared, while those belonging to poor and helpless individuals are destroyed gives cause for concern and questions begging for urgent answers. This sense of selective demolition to me is the height of injustice as injury to one is an injury to all.
4.When changes are made regarding fundamental structures of governance, the populace is usually given ample provision to relocate to well-planned alternatives. In this case, no provision has been put in place for the thousands of people who have been displaced and deprived of their source of livelihood. The only viable market in the entire vicinity of Sapele- The Sapele Main Market have remained under construction for over 8 years without its completion in sight, and billions of Naira sank into the project. The State government as a matter of urgency must look into the issue of the market with a view of completing it this year. This will go a long way to ameliorate the suffering of traders and those already displaced.

Finally, I wish to put it on record that Sapele which is one of the oldest cities in Nigeria with history dating back to 1891, remains an eye-sore in terms of infrastructural development, as it lacks all the trappings of a modern city. All that is left of the once bubbling city of Sapele are ancient relics which brings a nostalgic feeling to those who happen to witness the timber boom and port activity in the 60’s and 70’s. There is no visible dividend of democracy, as majority of the road network are crying for upgrade and repairs. Sapele Technical College which remains the only viable higher institution has become a glorified secondary school after years of neglect and the promise of siting a polytechnic in Sapele remains a pipe dream that may never be realized. If the State government really cares about the people of Sapele, it should be thinking of uplifting the decayed infrastructures of the city rather than plunging the already down trodden into more misery, poverty and pains.
It is my sincere prayers that the yearning and aspiration of the over 5 million populace of Sapele will be assuaged and succor come in the way of those who have been affected by the ongoing demolition exercise.

yea..... u are so on point!

that is what we need in anambra now, especially Nnewi