The Ebonyi State Government commenced the demolition of illegal structures and makeshift shops within the capital city on Thursday.
The demolition exercise began in Murtala Mohammed Layout Hausa Quarters, leading to the new Government House and State House of Assembly.
The Commissioner of the Ministry of Capital City and Urban Development, Hon. Sunday Inyima, disclosed this to journalists at the demolition site.
According to him, the exercise was in compliance with the master-plan requirements of the city, which prohibit the erection of illegal structures and other forms of business activities that deface the major roads in the capital city.
The Commissioner expressed displeasure at the disobedience of the people despite several notices given to the property owners, starting from Governor David Umahi’s regime to the present government of Francis Nwifuru, which aims to make the State capital competitive with other capital cities in the country.
He urged the landowners where the illegal structures are situated to follow the government’s plan to avoid another demolition in the area.
“Notices have been given by successive administrations, starting from the administration of Rt. Hon Ogbonna Nwifuru. When we came on board around November last year, we issued a fresh notice and removal order to all the owners of these shanties and makeshift buildings. In December, we reiterated the reminder.
“Abakaliki has grown into a metropolis like other cities, and we cannot continue to condone this. As you can see, this flyover here is from the Government House, and the road here takes you to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly. What if the state has a high-profile visitor who wants to go to the State House of Assembly? Will it be good for us to be showcasing batchers? No. That is why we have insisted that they must remove it, and we have come to help them.
“We will continue with this; from here, we are moving to Waterworks Road, Leach Road, anywhere we see containers within the urban city. Let us first sanitize the urban area, and then we will begin to go into other areas of building control.
“On the space created, we have to give a proper setback for the road and drainage. When we do that, the owners of these properties can design a beautiful edifice that can take its place. So, if you are driving through this road, there will be that aesthetic ambiance, confirming that you are truly in a capital city.
“You can see for yourself; this drawing I have here is from the Saraki and the Secretary of the Hausa community. They are the owners of this place, and this is what they want to build here. You can agree with me that if a proper setback is taken, and a structure like this is built, everyone will be happy.”
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However, owners of the shanties were seen trying to salvage their properties, while some were crying and lamenting about the funds they spent fixing the shanties, adding that the shanties were their source of livelihood.
Meanwhile, the ministry also demolished illegal structures on Waterworks Road and Lench Road.
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