The General Manager of Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA) Engr. Francis Chukwu has continued to advocate for the removal of all shanties and illegal structures within the State Capital immediately after being served notice.
Speaking to newsmen recently in Owerri the Imo State Capital, Engr. Chukwu expressed worry over the idea of constructing shanties, illegal structures within the state capital, even under the high tension wires.
He stated that the Government is determined to ensure the removal of all shanties and illegal structures particularly in Owerri with a view to restoring the Owerri City Masterplan.
He said: “Indeed, the action to ensure the removal of all shanties and illegal structures within the state sapital became necessary following the increasing rate of erecting of shanties and illegal structures, government can no longer watch such unhealthy development but rather take action to end the ugly trends in the state capital”.
Engr Chukwu maintained that those that erected illegal structures, shanties on verges have to remove them because the government is also determined to recover all verges.
Engr Chukwu assured that the State Government Development Control Agency usually serve notice to the concerned people with a clearly bold written caption on the affected illegal structures, before embarking on demolition exercise
He urged all concerned in the affected areas to cooperate with the state government to restore the pride of Imo State.
Engr. Chukwu expressed concern over those building shanties, illegal structures on top of underground drainage channels and under the high tension wiithin the state capital.
He said ,” No doubt, the Imo State Government is very sensitive to the safety of lives of the citizens of the state hence is committed to averting any danger that can be a threat to their lives and property. In fact, government took some drastic actions of demolition as a result of the fact that shanties and illegal structures were now built on top of underground drainage channels and under the high tension wires”.
Furthermore, he urged the developers to always be conscious of hazard that pose danger to the lives of the people during and after building construction, urging them to avoid sites that can lead to loss of lives.
He pointed out that it was also in furtherance of the Imo State Government’s enforcement of the operation reclaim Owerri capital city from shanties, illegal structures and street trading, recalling that the government through Owerri Capital Development Authority had since notified those concerned of its plans before undertaking demolition exercise.
