Emma Elekwa
Anambra State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Bar Chijioke Ojukwu has said that deadline for removal of Illegal structures and shanties in Nnewi metropolis would not be extended.
He insisted that the two weeks ultimatum given to the affected property owners was reasonable and non negotiable, affirming his commitment to enforcing the directive by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
The Commissioner was speaking with newsmen yesterday while inspecting a proposed site mapped out for development by government at Eme Court road axis, Nnewi.
“In furtherance to his directive, at the expiration of the notices, we shall be clearing up all the shanties and illegal structures in accordance with the law.
“My admonition to them is that they should take the notices seriously. Mr Governor is somebody who is known to keep his words.”
While disclosing his Ministry’s plans to launch “operation show your physical planning permit” across the state, Ojukwu urged the citizenry to support the initiative aimed at promoting sustainable development,
The Commissioner and his team also monitored further marking of illegal structures and issuance of removal notices in various locations including parts of Nkwo Market, Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Akamili and Uruagu axis.
He assured that the exercise termed “operation zero shanties” would be sustained to discourage encroachments on public spaces, construction under high tension power lines, set backs and other unsafe areas.
Over 500 owners and occupiers of illegal, dilapidated and unsafe structures across the industrial city had earlier been served with demolition notices, marking first phase of a comprehensive regeneration initiative designed to restore order, improve infrastructure and reposition Nnewi as a modern industrial and commercial hub.
