By Bonaventure Alufo
Government of Anambra state on September 1, demolished an illegal 3-Storey building, under construction at Akabaukwu, Uruagu, and several shanties in areas including Nkwo to Nkwo, and around St Mary’s Catholic Church, in Nnewi, Nnewi North LGA.
The demolition exercise was carried out by the Enforcement Team of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development (MPPUD) led by the Commissioner, Barr Chijioke Oseloka Ojukwu.
Speaking with newsmen during the enforcement at St Mary’s Catholic Church axis, Ojukwu said that the demolition was part of the Ministry’s sustained plan to enforcing building regulations across the state.
” Sequel to the sustained plan of the MPPUD to ensure compliance with building plans and regulations, we have been embarking on the demolition of illegal structures shanties, we call ‘Operation Zero Shanties” and ” Operation Show Your Permit” for other illegal structures.
“So we are in Nnewi Metropolis today, right at St Mary’s Catholic Church axis where we demolished a lot of shanties and about four illegal structures. The message is clear: It is no longer business as usual. Everything about building in Anambra state begins in accordance with the law. We shall no longer tolerate impunity of any kind in the building sector.
“The insinuations that Nnewi is the only place where demolition is ongoing is not true. The Ministry has carried out an extensive demolition in Onitsha, Nkpor, Nkwerre Ezunaka, and Ogbunike. This week we will be visiting other cities for continuation. People of Nnewi are only seeing our activities more now”, the commissioner said.
To the victims, he advised them to make use of other markets within the city.
“This mentality of our people must stop. It is an illegality. We are doing this for the general interest of the public”, he added.
Bonaventure Alufo is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
#Ministryofinformationandvaluereformation
#Anambraisrising
#MPPUD
#Solutionishere
#Solutioniskey
#Solutioncontinues
