…traders accuse government of demolishing plaza without proper notice
By: Toby Chuks
The Chairman of Onitsha South Local government area of Anambra State Hon Emeka Orji has said that the council gave the owners of illegal structure that were demolished by government at Bridge Head market axis were given a long term notice of 8months with monthly reminder but they couldn’t comply with the long term notice leaving government with no option than to take action.
Some traders led by one Chief Emmanuel Obunso accused Onitsha South authority of demolishing a market plaza located at Ogbo Osisi section of Bridge Head market without proper notification and justification calling on Governor of Anambra State Professor Chukwuma Soludo to direct Hon Orji to rebuild the plaza and compensate those who lost their goods or face legal action in court.
Chief Obunso who is the Chairman of Ogbo Osisi traders body known as Union Plywood and Joinery Association (UPJA), Bridge-Head market told journalists that the demolition is wrong as they have the document backing the building adding that traders at the plaza lost over a billion naira worth goods at the expense of the demolition and unless the plaza is rebuilt and the traders compensated they will drag Onitsha South to court to seek justice.
Reacting to the Obunso’s claims, Hon Orji accused the traders of non challant attitude towards government legal directives adding “I asked the Chairman of Bridge Head market to provide the documents covering the structure to show that it was approved by government but he could not provide any document”
He continued “then we gave 8months notice and along the line we also marked the place with removal order but they will clear the removal order with the same color of paint of the building. As matter of fact the traders ignored every measure put forward by government but government won’t relent on its resolve to get Onitsha rid off illegal structures”
