Anambra traders lament as ACTDA demolishes illegal structures… 

Concerns are building in Anambra State over the destruction and burning of shanties, wares and properties of traders along the Regina Ceali Junction and Y-Junction of Okpuno in Awka South Local Government Area of the state.

The demolition, which started on Tuesday, was carried out by the management of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority and led by its Chairman, Ossy Onuko, in collaboration with the Development Control Unit of ACTDA and Rapid Response Unit of the agency.

The demolition also affected traders at UNIZIK Tempsite, Oby Okoli Avenue, Okpuno, Abakiliki Street, and Club Road areas of Awka.

It was learnt that the demolition began at the expiration of several warnings and quit notices served to the traders.

It was gathered that the shanties were not only demolished, the traders properties, including wares, food items, among others, were also set ablaze by the officials who carried out the exercise in the presence of security personnel.

The Head of the ACTDA Development Control Unit, Charles Ekwunife, who spoke to journalists, stated that the onslaught became necessary as shanties and other illegal structures and business activities had greatly contributed to the negative state of the environment.

Ekwunife, who spoke on behalf of the Managing Director of Awka Capital Development Authority, Onuko, said the outright demolition underscored the seriousness of the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, about law and order restoration.

He insisted that the agency would not condone any form of illegality across its jurisdiction.

He advised traders to desist from setting up illegal structures and trading along the streets, as according to him, the government would leave no stone unturned to rid  Awka of illegal structures and shanties.