Anambra Government Removes Structures Sitting Under High Tension Cables, Others Erected On Unauthorized Positions
The Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, ACTDA, has pulled down structures erected under high tension cables and other unauthorized positions at Club Road, formally known as Abakiliki Street, Awka.
ACTDA enforcement team also removed shanties situated on the restricted strip of land demarcating both sides of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway at Agu-Awka and Amansea axises.
ACTDA, is a state-owned local regulatory authority, that monitors housing and aesthetic development and outlooks of Awka town and other communities that make up the state capital territory.
As ACTDA's pre-removal order requires, owners of the demolished structures had been issued removal notices weeks before the present action.
Some affected property owners in the areas, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that while government is taking the right action towards development, a certain degree of grace should be shown to those who are legitimately pursuing their means of livelihood.
They appealed for a kind of compensation given that their businesses are their families' only means of survival.
A passerby, Mr John Onyeneke, agreed that it is illegal to put up a structure on such positions, but asked government to increase monitoring to ensure that developers do not enter the areas at all to warrant demolition.
In an interview, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ACTDA, Venerable Amaechi Okwuosa, said the restrictions on erecting structures under high tension cables and on highway setbacks are permanent, with the agency constantly on removal visits to such places.
Venerable Okwuosa said that the demolition is necessary to also discourage those who would want to erect structures in those places, maintaining that his office is determined to stick to all legal development formulas guiding Awka and environs.
While sympathizing with those who were affected by the exercise, the ACTDA boss said that Governor Chukwuma Soludo's dream of a livable, prosperous and smart mega city will not happen if illegalities are allowed to trend.
More photos below.
Comments
Post a Comment