Anambra State Government weekend demolished more illegal structures, including gate houses, shops and fences erected on access roads in Akwu Edoji, Uruagu in Nnewi North Local Government Area of the state.The Joint Task Force team involved in the demolition warned developers to strictly comply with physical planning laws of the state or risk prosecution.
Some residents who spoke to reporters wondered why individuals would go ahead to commit funds in erecting structures without official approval, saying if they had sought for approval, they would not have incurred such losses.
Chairman, Anambra State Physical Planning Board, Barr. Chike Maduekwe restated Governor Chukwuma Soludo-led administration’s commitment to ensuring the state did not develop into slum.
He recalled occasions staff of the board were attacked in course of carrying out demolition activities, reiterating it was not government’s intention to inflict hardship on citizens as long as they comply with the laws.
He assured continued protection of those who comply with the law, explaining that the essence of government was to ensure that interests of greatest number of its citizenry were protected and secured.
He said, “The enforcement is a routine being carried out from zone to zone to enforce town planning laws and ensure development in the state is controlled.
“The location is a government approved layout, whose master plan has been bastardized by some people.
“It’s not the intention of government to inflict hardship on citizens of the state, but laws are meant to be obeyed, otherwise, there is a consequence.”
