A new dawn beckons in Anambra State following the commencement of the demolition of illegal structures and shanties within the Safest State in Nigeria.
Early reports show that while there are one or two persons not so happy about this exercise, a lot of ndi Anambra are overjoyed by the directive given by Gov. Willie Obiano to relevant agencies to rid the State of all illegal structures and shanties that provide hiding place for criminals; promote anti-social activities and deface the cities.
The illegal structures which are found at many corners in the State are usually built on gutters thereby blocking the drainage systems with most of them known to be criminal hideouts and places where prostitutes and other miscreants engage in nefarious activities.
Speaking during demolition along Ajasa Street, Onitsha, the State Commissioner for Road, Rail and Water Transport, Uchenna Okafor, said the exercise was in the overall interest of the people noting that despite series of government notices to the communities and affected owners of the structures to enable them vacate, some persons failed to comply.
It could be recalled that the State Government had earlier issued demolition notices followed by aggressive public service announcements through radios, television as well as the use of handbills and town criers spanning months asking the affected persons to do the needful.
The demolition notice drew lots of commendations from well meaning ndi Anambra both home and abroad who attested to the fact that the exercise was key to building a modern and safer State.
According to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Chikodi Anara, the demolition exercise will be conducted throughout the State.
“Every structure on the waterways, shops on drainage systems, shanties and any form of illegal structure in Anambra will be demolished without fear or favour. We gave adequate notice to the people involved,” Anara added.
Some residents of Venn Road North in Onitsha who spoke to the press confirmed that they were earlier informed before the exercise.
Amaka Edochie, a dry fish dealer while appealing to the government to give them more time to take out their goods said, “Truly we were warned severally before now but it was only yesterday that we know that they (the government) are serious”.
The demolition exercise which is being carried out by the authorized law enforcement agencies, will last till all illegal structures and shanties in the State are cleared.
Photo: Anambra State Commissioner for Rail, Road and Water Transport, Hon. Uchenna Okafor.
Credit: Ifeanyi Aniagor.
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