The Anambra State government has begun a crackdown on illegal and unauthorized developments in parts of the state, demolishing shops and other structures in communities including Nawfia, Abagana, and Onitsha. The exercise, which started on Friday, September 18, was carried out by officials of the Anambra State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, accompanied by security personnel. The affected structures included shops and buildings erected on sidewalks, open public spaces, access roads, and areas previously designated as motor parks.
The enforcement team, led by the Head of Development Control of the ministry, Ngozi Okwudili, stormed Afor Market in Nawfia and Oye Agu Market in Abagana, both in Njikoka Local Council, where several shops and other structures were demolished. A three-storey building allegedly constructed on an access road without the required setback in Odoakpu, Onitsha, was also pulled down. Additionally, a structure reportedly intended to serve as a security house at Trans Nkisi Layout was demolished after it allegedly obstructed access to some residential buildings.
According to Okwudili, the demolitions followed due process, with the affected developers having been served repeated notices before the exercise. She cited instances where building plans did not make adequate provision for parking space, such as a structure at Afor Market, Nawfia, which was demolished for not providing at least 45 per cent of the built-up area as parking space. The plaza at Oye Agu Market, Abagana, was allegedly constructed without the required approval from the ministry.
Okwudili warned that the government would sustain the enforcement exercise across the state to restore order and ensure compliance with physical planning laws and regulations. She advised prospective developers to obtain the necessary approvals before commencing construction, urging them to approach any of the district heads in the local government areas or the ministry's office.
However, some of the victims expressed disappointment and frustration, saying they had only recently secured the shops and invested their savings in their businesses. Mrs Nneka Chidumeme, who sells baby items at Oye Agu Market, Abagana, said she had only begun settling into her newly rented shop after paying for it on August 28. She appealed to the state government to consider assisting affected traders, particularly in view of the economic hardship and the levies they had paid.
Another victim, Mrs Gloria Nwafor, who operated a small shop at Afor Market, Nawfia, said she shared the space with one of her daughters and depended on the business to support her family. Nwafor, who said she had been widowed, lamented that the demolition could leave her without a means of livelihood. She appealed to the wife of the state governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo, to intervene on behalf of the affected traders.
The state government maintained that the enforcement would continue across Anambra, urging residents and developers to comply with physical planning requirements to avoid the loss of property and investments. The government emphasized the importance of obtaining necessary approvals and adhering to physical planning laws to prevent such demolitions in the future.
Key points
- The Anambra State government has begun demolishing illegal structures in several communities, citing lack of approvals and non-compliance with physical planning laws.
- The affected developers had been served repeated notices before the exercise, according to the government.
- The government has urged residents and developers to comply with physical planning requirements to avoid the loss of property and investments.
