The Chairman of the Anambra State Physical Planning Board (ANSPPB), Barrister Chike Maduekwe, has said that the Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo-led administration is fully committed to building a conducive environment for socio-economic activities to thrive.
Maduekwe stated this on Wednesday while addressing the management staff of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Onitsha station office, and the leadership of the Trans-Nkisi Landlords Association in reaction to a viral video condemning the demolition exercise carried out by the ANSPPB operatives around the NTA premises located at the Trans-Nkisi housing estate, Onitsha.
It was gathered that the meeting was called by the ANSPPB chairman to address the misunderstanding and to set the record straight on the disputed area that resulted in the demolition of all the shops built in front of the NTA premises.
Emphasising why the shops were demolished, the ANSPPB boss noted that the affected shops were also used as residential premises, furnished with open defecation toilets, and harboured criminals in the area.
“The State Government has marked the Trans-Nkisi housing estate to be the ‘Maitama of Anambra.’
“What we are currently doing is not far from the conducive environment any right-thinking person will think of.
“Governor Soludo’s vision of making Anambra a peaceful, clean, green, secure, livable, and prosperous homeland is firmly rooted in the rule of law that guides anyone living in the State irrespective of tribe, ethnic region, and political placement.
“The Anambra Physical Planning Board (ANSPPB) under my watch is mandated to protect government land and ensure that the state does not develop into a slum. Therefore, the demolition in question didn’t target the NTA property or any government agency situated in the area as being painted on social media by the enemies of the government.”
Maduekwe, while urging the Onitsha NTA management to approach the ANSPPB for proper documentation of the said land, equally appealed to them, particularly the General Manager of the station, Mrs. Violet Nnadi, to support the Anambra government’s effort in tackling insecurity in the state.
On her part, the General Manager of NTA Onitsha station, Mrs Violet Nnadi, appealed to the ANSPPB to stop the demolition, noting that the shops built within the fence of NTA premises were part of the management’s measure to secure its property from land encroachers.
Also, in their separate contributions during the meeting, the National Vice President of the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATAWU), Prince Emeka Kalu, and the APGA Councillor for Ward 12 in Onitsha North Local Government Area, Hon. Okafor Johnpaul, called for sustained synergy between the Federal and Anambra State Government towards a better society.
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