BY SUNNY A. DAVID
About five plazas and over 300 illegal structures built as shops were yesterday demolished by the Anambra State government in Onitsha South Local Government Area.
The illegal structures were said to have been built by traders who allegedly got the approval of the National Inland Water Ways NIWA which Governor Charles Soludo stated that the organization does not have the right to build or allocate spaces to traders.
The Governor had during the inspection of roads constructed by his administration ordered the Onitsha South Local Government Chairman, Chief Emeka Joseph Orji to demolish all the illegal structures, noting that the land belongs to Anambra State and not NIWA.
“The code or bye laws establishing NIWA gave the organization 100 metres from the banks of the River Niger as right of easement but what we are seeing here are illegal structures and should be demolished,” Prof Soludo stressd.
This development is coming as the State government has declared war on illegal structures following the collapse of a five storey building at Fegge in the same Council Area.
While the demolition was going on, the Hausa Community in the area led by the Secretary of Hausa Community in Onitsha North and South Local Government Areas, Alhaji Ishawu Imam whose father is the Sariki of the Hausa Community expressed appreciation that the Council Chairman gave them time like other residents to re move their property.
According to him, Hausa Community in Onitsha South is happy with the developmental status of Soludo administration, pledging to continue to support him.
The Chairman Onitsha South Local Government Area Chief Emeka Joseph Orji who was at the site to supervise the demolition said that when he was sworn in as Council Chairman last year he issued notice to them to move out.
According to him, the notice was followed by series of follow up notices but they disobeyed.
“Then last week Mr. Governor came here and told them that this place is not for shops or markets and ordered me to demolish the area but I gave them another one week notice which ended today,” he said.
The area according to Chief Orji would be barricaded and cleared for the establishment of a Sea Side Resort which would have green park areas with umbrella trees for relaxation and amusement.
Reacting to the collapsed five storey building in the area, Chief Orji announced that most buildings currently under construction would be subjected to integrity test which includes material test, qualify test.
“Everywhere cannot be market in Onitsha and we have declared war on illegal structures and we shall ensure that the right thing is done about building collapse in Onitsha South Local Government Area,” he stated.
