Enugu — THE Federal Government has asked Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State to reconsider his decision to demolish structures at the temporary site of the International Trade Fair Complex in Enugu.

The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Chief Achike Udenwa, made the appeal to the Governor to suspend his demolition order on the complex and allow the ministry a period of one year within which to complete ongoing projects at the permanent trade fair complex on Enugu - Onitsha Expressway.

He told the Governor in a letter that his government's move could portray the relationship between the state and Federal Government in negative light as his critics could read meaning into it.

Udenwa said that the Federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry viewed the timely completion of the new trade fair site with all the seriousness that it deserved and had taken bold steps towards ensuring that the project was accelerated towards its target completion.

The Minister, whose earlier pleas were rebuffed by the Governor, made fresh entreaties in a letter with reference number: DT/TP/398/Vol.1/83 and dated May 18, 2009.

The State Government had in a letter by the state Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Festus Uzor, gave the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA) until Tuesday May 26, to remove all their valuables from the site.

About 24 hours after the notice expired on Wednesday, bulldozers and trucks were deployed to the complex to commence demolition and by press time yesterday, they were still awaiting final directives.

Udenwa had in his letter titled "Re: Revocation of the Right of ECCIMA on the Temporary Trade Fair Complex at Abakiliki Road, Enugu, Appeal for Consideration", brought to the knowledge of the Governor, his deep worry over the revocation of the Right/Certificate of Occupancy on all the parcel of land issued to the chamber and duly registered in the Land Registry.