The Orlu Regional Assembly USA (ORAUSA), a coalition of sons and daughters of Orlu Senatorial Zone residing in the United States, has called on Governor Hope Uzodinma to intervene in the unlawful demolition of their ongoing Specialist Medical Center and Multi-Purpose Facility Project site in Orlu. They expressed shock and anguish over the sudden demolition, moreover as the executors did not give prior notice nor presented any official Imo State Government authorisation documents for the unexpected action carried out on May 13, 2025, reportedly by the Local government authorities.
Many people in Orlu who watched as the excavator was demolishing the ongoing project wept and lamented on how our people in the Diaspora would be persuaded to invest in their Homeland, and when they do, their patriotic efforts would be met with this type of painful and demoralising injustice.
The affected project, which includes a state-of-the-art Specialist Medical Center, was a beacon of hope for the people of Orlu zone and Imo State in general, promising to provide essential free medical healthcare services, generate employment, and serve as a source of revenue income for the region.
According to ORAUSA, the land for this transformative project was legally awarded to the organization by the Imo State Government, and all necessary protocols and compliance measures were adhered to.
However, they said the demolition was executed without prior notice or an opportunity for rectification, a move they described as unjust and contrary to the principles of Governor Uzodimma’s 3R (Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, and Recovery) agenda.
The ORAUSA noted with gratitude that Governor Uzodimma has been a moral and financial supporter of their initiatives, recognizing his consistent encouragement for Diaspora-led developmental projects in Imo State
They also emphasized that the Governor’s backing has been instrumental in their efforts to give back to their homeland.
However, the organization expressed confusion over the identity of those responsible for the demolition, as even the demolition company could not clearly state who authorized the operation. This lack of transparency had heightened the generality of the people’s concern and distress.
In a letter addressed to Governor Uzodimma, Prof. Uzo Unegbu, MD, MBA, ORAUSA National President, and Chief Augustin Ofoha, General Secretary, called on the governor to urgently intervene.
The group requested the following:
- Authorization to Resume Construction: A formal letter permitting ORAUSA to continue with the construction of the Multi-Purpose Facility to ensure clarity for contractors, donors, and stakeholders.
- Compensation for Losses: Appropriate compensation to help ORAUSA recover from the destruction of its project site estimated at #250m.
- Security Assurance: Written assurance from the state government guaranteeing the protection of the legally awarded property against further threats or unauthorized actions.
ORAUSA emphasized that the initiative was a product of collective effort and commitment by Orlu sons and daughters in the United States aimed at giving back to their homeland. They urged Governor Uzodimma to uphold justice and support sustainable community development by enabling the continuation of the project.
The group said they now wait anxiously for a response from the state government, hoping for a swift and favourable resolution to what they described as a painful setback.
Efforts to reach the local government authorities said to be responsible for the demolition for comments were unsuccessful at the time of this report.
The Orlu Regional Assembly is a prominent diaspora organization representing the sons and daughters of Orlu Senatorial Zone in the United States. The organization notably has a strong track records of supporting developmental initiatives in Imo State, particularly in free medical healthcare, education, and community women and youth empowerment programs.
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