Mr. Ikechukwu Okeke, a resident of Enugu State, is urgently appealing to Governor Peter Mbah for help regarding his demolished property. Earlier this year, the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA) demolished his business, Breathe Restaurant & Lounge, located on Independence Avenue at Independence Layout, Enugu. The authorities cited a lack of proper title documents for the demolition.
Following public outcry over the demolition, the Enugu State Government promised to rebuild the restaurant. Governor Mbah approved the reconstruction and even sent construction materials such as cement, molded bricks, and sand to the site. This initial response was a hopeful sign for Mr. Okeke and the many people who depend on his business.
However, six months have passed since the governor’s intervention, and construction work has yet to begin.
The materials provided by the government remain exposed to the elements, enduring rain and sun without being used. This ongoing delay has led Mr. Okeke to write an open letter to the governor, seeking further assistance.
In his letter, Mr. Okeke praised Governor Mbah for his initial support and commitment to infrastructure development across Enugu State. He noted the governor’s significant progress and fulfillment of campaign promises since taking office. Despite these commendations, Mr. Okeke expressed deep disappointment that the reconstruction has not started, causing severe hardship for him and his employees. Since the demolition in March, Breathe Restaurant and Lounge has been closed, leading to financial strain and affecting livelihoods.
Mr. Okeke also mentioned distressing rumors suggesting that the delay might be due to tribal biases, given that he is not originally from Enugu State. While these rumors are troubling, he maintains his faith in the governor’s commitment to justice and fairness for all residents.
He concluded his letter with a heartfelt plea for the governor to expedite the reconstruction process. Mr. Okeke hopes that the governor will ensure that the promised rebuilding of Breathe Restaurant and Lounge begins without further delay, restoring his business and alleviating the ongoing difficulties faced by him and his staff.
