Former Commissioner for Internally Resources and Pension Matters, Mr. Nick Opara-Ndudu has suggested that the state government and Owerri Nchi Ise Community embrace and adopt a new approach which he christened ‘Re-Development Scheme” to bring lasting solution to the lingering feud generated by the proposed relocation of Ekeukwu market.
The ex-commissioner whose suggestion was made public in an open letter he addressed to Gov. Rochas Okorocha entitled “Ekeukwu Owerri controversy, the imperative of a paradigim shift” further stressed the need for both sides to shift current stance to allow for the implementation of the policy which he assured would result in win-win outcome for all stakeholders.
Mr. Opara-Ndudu who insisted that both the people of Owerri and government were right in kicking against the market relocation based on its deep cultural and historical relevance to their existence in the one hand and demolition and relocation to make for urban renewal however, insisted that the time has come to shift ground in the overall interest of the state.
Explaining how the Re-Development Scheme” would be implemented, Mr. Opara-Ndudu who described it as the most attractive option to address the twin issues of urban renewal and the compelling need to respect the tradition of Owerri indigenes said such a plan would recognize the indigenes as major stakeholders in the project.
It would equally address all associated environmental challenges in a manner that advances the goal of urban renewal which government is committed to in the interest of the majority of the citizens.
According to him for the scheme to work out there must be extensive consultation and paper work, just as the re-development scheme can be realized within eighteen months with good financial arrangement put in place even as he harped on the need for collaborative partnership to make the scheme a possibility.
