OctogenarianThreatens Suicide Over Planned Demolition Of House

An octogenarian blind
man, Dr Chuks Osuji, has threatened to die in his building rumble as bulldozer is pulling down the house.
The house of Osuji, 82, was marked `remove’ by the Imo State Government.
Osuji’s threat is contained  in a statement he made available to newsmen in Owerri recently.
Imo government is currently expanding some major roads in Owerri such as MCC/Urrata, Okigwe Road, Orlu Road, Ikenegbu and Egbu/Mbaise Road.
Osuji said that the state government had yet to show any commitment regarding payment of compensation over pulling down of the building.
According to him, there is no form of 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 early 80s, frail and weak, pulling down this my house will 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 national awards recipient, if this my house is pulled down, where will I go,” he said.
He, however, pleaded with Gov. Rochas Okorocha to spare his house for the sake of endless humanitarianism and compassion.
Osuji also appealed to people of good conscience to help appeal to the governor to spare his house.
“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 said.
Our correspondent  reports that many others’ property, including that of a former Internal Affairs Minister, Capt. Emmanuel Iheancho, were destroyed by government.
Osuji , before becoming blind about 22 years ago, served Imo as the Director-General of Imo State Mass Mobilisation Agency.