By CHARLES IWUOHA

Shop owners along Egbu, Awaka and Emekuku in Owerri North LGA Imo State, have lamented the wanton destruction of their shops and wares by the Imo State Government following a road expansion project going on in the area.

Speaking with our correspondent some of the shop owners whose shops were affected cried out that their entire means of livelihood have just ended within a twinkle of an eye.

They complained that the demolition exercise came to them as a surprise as they didn’t envisage such happening immediately even when the government claimed that there was prior information regarding that.

A provision seller who gave her name as Felicia Ibeawuchi while speaking to our correspondent lamented that her life is now disorganized following the development as she has no alternative plan or where to relocate.

”My entire investment is in this place, this is where the source of feeding my family comes from and I’m currently devastated by this demolition though I am not against the project but the government should have informed us earlier, I’m appealing to the State Government to get us compensated for the sudden eviction,” she said.

Another victim, a hairdresser by name, Chinyere Uzoka, said that her saloon shop was demolished and that there is no place for her to attend to her customers as it stands for now.

Miss Uzoka told our correspondent that she is surviving through mobile services at the homes of her customers while looking for another place to stay.

In his earlier statement on the expansion project, the Commissioner of Works, Ralph Nwosu, stated that the expansion became necessary due to what he described as the constricted width of the road caused by obstructing structures.

The Commissioner said the State Government is committed to completing the road construction in line with best engineering practices, ensuring a wider and more comfortable road for users.

“The expansion will increase the road’s width from 6 metres to 7.3 standard width carriage, alleviating gridlock and enhancing road user experience.

“The project is part of the State government’s efforts to improve infrastructure and promote economic growth in Imo State. With the expansion, road users can expect a smoother and more comfortable commute while the state’s economy is poised to benefit from improved transportation links.” he further stated.

The road as gathered by our correspondent is a federal road that connects two states capitals, Owerri and Umuahia.