Odumeje will pay demolition cost – Soludo

Video: Anambra task force demolishes Odumeje's church building
Odumeje

Following the demolition of some part of the church of Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, popularly known as Odumeje, the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has stated that the cleric will pay the cost of demolition.

Odumeje’s church, Grace and Power Prophetic Ministry, which was demolished on Thursday was part of the buildings marked for demolition because they were illegally built on a drainage channel.

Soludo, who spoke on Friday night, said there were several notices sent to all house owners, whose structures were marked for demolition, and that they were all served notices, and asked to remove such structures within a timeframe.

Soludo also said that two parishes of the Catholic church were still waiting for demolition.

The governor said, “It is costing us money. They had several notices to remove such structures, but they refused.

“The demolition started yesterday (Thursday), and so far so good. The demolition went well, except for Pastor Odumeje, who according to the report drove in, in a brazen manner and attempted to take over the equipment.

“Of course, state work must go on, and security had to stop him. This was a man who was in several meetings we had and also spoke.

“In fact, this is costing us money, and the structures should have been removed before now, but they chose to test the resolve of the government.

“Once we are done with this exercise, we will compile the bills and send to the persons involved, and they must pay.”