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By Madu Obi
Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has said that the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, has no right to allocate Anambra land to traders for the building of markets.
This came as the state government demolished over 300 illegal structures and five plazas built as shops in Onitsha South local government area.
The structures were said to have been built by traders who allegedly got the approval of NIWA, which has been having a running battle with the state government on the ownership of parcels of land on the bank of the River Niger.
Governor Soludo had argued that NIWA has no right to build or allocate spaces to traders in the state.
While on inspection of roads projects in Onitsha South, the governor ordered the local government chairman, Chief Emeka Orji to demolish all the illegal structures as the land belongs to Anambra State, and not NIWA.
“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.
The local government chairman, who was at the site to supervise the demolition on Monday, said that when he was sworn in as council chairman last year, he issued notice to them to move out .
According to him, the notice was followed by series of follow- up notices, but they disobeyed. He added: “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.
"The area will be barricaded and cleared for the establishment of a Seaside Resort which would have green park areas with umbrella trees for relaxation and amusement.
“Everywhere cannot be market in Onitsha and we have declared war on illegal structures and we shall ensure that the right thing is done."
He also reacted on the collapsed five storey building in the area, stating that most buildings currently under construction in the local government would be subjected to integrity test, which include material and qualify test.
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