My Neighborhood Watch #58 - Reporting Events Around us

Demolition in the Neighbourhood

In recent years, the speed at which development is plowing accross AkwaIbom State is alarming, but in a good way.
The construction of a ring road that links Nwaniba to Ikot Ekpene road and the upgrading of Oron Road in to a four-lane road with sevice lanes is a beautiful network that will take you from the airport down to your lodging at Le Meridien- our fire star hotel and to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, avoiding the trafic holdup associated with driving through the center of Uyo Town.

The cost and the price
While the Government takes care of the cost the people and our neighbourhood is paying the price. Buildings that are now too close to the road were marked for demolition.

These bulding housed a lot of small businesses, even when the owners were paid a settlement, they still had some attachment to the building and its proximity to the road. Some of the occupants had just renewed their yearly rent.

Some affected landlords tryed to avoid this by not agreeing on a settlement, others tryed to pay off the demolition team, but on this day, the excavator tuched the ground.

Judgement day was 09:00, 13 July 2024. The excavator tuched down this time with the police and soldiers as escorts. The order was given, and as if engaged in Tele-match, the shop owners racing against time, trying frantically to rescue their goods from the bucket of the excavator in spite of the risk.

It only got worse when it started drizzling and scavengers flew in, in search for scrap metals and anything that could be sold to recyclers. They perched around for a while, observing, then swooped-in, carrying away scraps, looting and pillaging when possible.

The crowd of expectators kept growing in number, and so was the number of scavengers that sensed opportunity in the chaos. Don't get carried away, It's time for you to secure your phone and wallet, because crowds like this also attracts some who are expert pickpocket.

Walls are crumbling and dust is rising. Salty tears running down for those who have lost some goods and tears of joy for landlords who are now the closest to the road and for those who have got scraps to sale; wood, metal sheets, rods, doors and whatever is of value in the recycling market.

The Final Moments of this building

^{_{The final moment of this house along Oron Road captured in picture}}

^{_{Touched by the excavator's bucket}}

^{_{This bulding only looked good on the outside}}

^{_{Down to the ground}}

Houses without valid documentation attracts very little compensation compared to landlords who followd up, completed the process and obtained a valid certificate of occupancy.

Conclusion

This is Oron Road, close to big junction after the demolition. You can still see remnants of the ruins to the left in the picture.
Displacement is one of the effects of development and urbanisation. To enjoy beautiful roads, some will have to pay the price.

I am inviting @bela90, @lusciouslucy and @dequeen to tell us about your neighbourhood.