82-YR-OLD BLIND MAN TO IMO GOVT: I’LL DIE IN THE RUBBLE, IF YOU DEMOLISH MY HOUSE

Dr. Chuks Osuji, an 82-year-old blind man, has threatened to die in his house, if officials of Owerri Capital Development Authority, OCDA carries out its demolition plans.

Pa Chuks Osuji's house was marked ‘remove’ by the Imo State Government, which is currently expanding some major roads in Owerri. He said: “There was no engagement for payment of compensation to me now or in the future. He said that officials of Owerri Capital Development Authority had marked his house ‘remove’.

“It is on the strength of that I want to alert the public on the injustice. Pulling down the house where I have my PR communication outfit, which employs some Imo youths and also get income to sustain my family will adversely affect me.

“As a very senior citizen in my 80s, frail and weak, pulling down this my house is tantamount to sentencing me to death.

“My choice will be to allow the building to collapse on me if that is what the authority wants. I was made to understand that yesterday, OCDA staff came and marked my little building at number 54 Mbaise Road by Amaram Street ‘remove’.

“I built this little house 22 years ago, when I had my sight and was active. The house met all statutory requirements and was approved by OCDA.

“I am now a senior citizen with full vision impairment and a national awards recipient; if this my house is pull down, where will I go?”

“I came home 36 years ago from the United States to help develop my society and have paid my dues. I deserve no raw deal after all my services to my fatherland,” he pleaded.

Dr. Osuji served as the Director-General of Imo State Mass Mobilisation Agency before becoming blind about 22 years ago.

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