Anambra State Government Goes Tough Against Recalcitrant Land Grabbers, Demolishes Buildings For Various Degrees Of Violations
Anambra State Joint Enforcement Taskforce on development control has embarked on demolition of structures in Idemili North and South Local Government Areas for various degrees of urban development violations.
The development control became imperative due to violation of the state building codes and regulations as well as assault on its officials by some developers.
The enforcement exercise which comprised officials of Anambra State Physical Planning Board, ANSPPB, security operatives, among others also featured stern warning that the state government will not relent in going after defaulting developers in the state
The demolished structures were a fence and gate at Immanuel Church Street, around Joedon area of Nkpor built by a developer, blocking an access road built by government.
Also partially demolished was a factory on government land where some people sold and were putting poles on the roads.
The taskforce equally demolished a one-storey block of lock-up stores under construction at Oba, where the developer was alleged to have assaulted officials of the ANSPPB, who came to the site earlier this year for enforcement.
According to the Chairman of ANSPPB, Barrister Chike Maduekwe who spearheaded the enforcement exercise, it was a part of the routine operations of the board to ensure development control and compliance to minimum standards, which he explained is in line with its core mandate of cleaning up the mess in the building industry in the state.
Barrister Maduekwe explained that it was the board's third time of embarking on enforcement control at Joedone area of Nkpor, where an individual purchased an assess road and built on it, pointing out that the last time the officials of the board paid a visit to the location, the building was lintel level, but was demolished.
He wondered why the developers will remain recalcitrant and continued to build the illegal structure, noting that they had continued to evade arrest each time they visited.
The ANSPPB boss further revealed that the developers terrorized the lawful residents into silence, saying that the building which was out on the road, blocked all the buildings on both sides, thereby preventing residents from driving into their buildings for about six months.
He said that it was cleared only for them to mount a gate on the street blocking the entire street and providing cover for criminals who hide under the cover of the gates to attack innocent citizens, but added that the gates were levelled and cleared.
At the Oba building site, Barrister Maduekwe recounted the ordeals of the state government enforcement team who were beaten up by the developer and their vehicles destroyed.
He explained that when their staff embarked on their routine enforcement exercise in the location in December, 2022, they were attacked with matchets and they went home with smashed vehicle windscreen, stressing that it necessitated the complete demolition of the structure.
Barrister Maduekwe warned developers that the state government will no longer tolerate any form of assault on its officials on legitimate duty, noting that any such action will be met with necessary response.
He emphasized that no one can intimidate the government, assuring that the Governor Chukwuma Soludo-led administration remains committed to its promise of building a liveable and prosperous Anambra State where rule of law prevails.
Some residents of the residents at Nkpor alleged that an individual whose name was given as Mighty, has been the one who keeps reselling the particular place to unsuspecting buyers.
Some other residents who spoke to the ABS on the condition of anonymity expressed their happiness to the government for coming to their aid.
According to them, they have been finding it difficult to go and come out of their various compounds due to the blockage, but with the demolition and reopening up of the road, they can now easily access their buildings.
More photos below.
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