No fewer than 280 illegal structures and five plazas built as shops have been demolished by the Anambra State government in Onitsha South Local Government Council.
The illegal buildings were believed to have been placed on the waterways by traders who purportedly obtained authority from the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
The area affected by the demolition includes shops along the drainage system, waterways, and riverbanks at Freedom Market, also known as Biafra Market.
During an inspection of roads constructed by his government, Governor Soludo directed the Onitsha South Local Government Chairman, Chief Emeka Orji, to remove any illegal buildings, adding that the land belongs to Anambra state.
“The code or bye laws establishing NIWA gave the organization 100 metres from the banks of the River Niger as right of easement but what we are seeing here are illegal structures and should be demolished” the governor said.
This development comes after the state government declared war on unlawful structures following the collapse of a five-story building in Fegge.
While the demolition was underway, the Hausa Community in the area, led by the Secretary of the Hausa Community in Onitsha North and South local government areas, Alhaji Ishawu Imam, whose father is the Sariki of the Hausa Community, expressed gratitude to the Council Chairman for giving them the same time as other residents to remove their property.
According to him, the Hausa community in Onitsha South is pleased with the progress status of the Soludo administration and has pledged to continue supporting him.
Chief Emeka Orji, Chairman of Onitsha South LGA, who was on site to supervise the destruction, stated that when he was sworn in as Council Chairman last year, he gave them notice to remove their possessions.
According to him, the notice was followed by a series of subsequent notices, but they disobeyed.
“Then last week Mr Governor came here and told them that this place is not for shops or markets and ordered me to demolish the area but I gave them another one week notice which ended today” he went on to say.
According to Orji, the area would be closed and cleared for the construction of a Sea Side Resort, complete with green park areas and umbrella trees for relaxation and entertainment.
Following the collapse of a five-story structure in the neighbourhood, Orji declared that most buildings now under construction would undergo integrity testing, which included material and qualification tests.
“Everywhere cannot be market in Onitsha and we have declared war on illegal structures and we shall ensure that the right thing should be done about building collapse in Onitsha South local government area” Orji said.