From Stanley Uzoar,Owerri
Imo State Association of the deaf took to the street on Wednesday to protest the demolition of their Secretariat at Wetheral road,Owerri by officials of the Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRACO) .
The special citizens ended their protest at government house,where they met with the Chief of Staff Nnamdi Anyaehie who after confirming from the ENTRACO General Manager, Franklin Nkemakolam on the demolition ,promised to take their matter to governor Hope Uzodimma for solution.
Earlier the deaf who spoke through their chairman, Uzoma Edwards aided by an interpreter said the office built by the late Sam Mbakwe’s administration had served as their worship,meeting and vocational centre before it was demolished.
Edwards disclosed that the commission embarked on the demolition exercise without a prior notice and warrant to the association.
“They just came and started demolishing our office without any warrant,when I tried to question them, they beat me up and tore my clothes. We are begging the State governor to please come to our rescue.”
Although,they said the State government asked them to relocate to their site at Orji in Owerri North Local Government Area which served as a school for the deaf and dumb,but they rejected the offer because of its distance to the State capital.