By Milcah Tanimu

In response to a recent building collapse on Basden Street, Fegge, in Onitsha, the Anambra State Government carried out a demolition exercise on Monday, targeting approximately 2,000 shops situated on Niger Street in Fegge, Onitsha South Local Government Area.

These shops, primarily owned by members of the Sand Miners Association of Anambra State, served as operational offices and equipment storage, alongside some used by petty traders.

While the traders had purportedly obtained approval from the National Inland Water Ways Authority (NIWA), Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo declared during a recent visit to the area that NIWA lacked authority to allocate land to traders within Anambra.

Governor Soludo ordered the demolition during an inspection of road projects, asserting that the land rightfully belonged to Anambra State. He emphasized that the structures were illegal and needed to be removed.

This move comes amidst heightened concern over building collapses, particularly following a recent incident in the same community.

The demolition exercise, overseen by Chairman of Onitsha South Local Government Area, Emeka Orji, resulted in the displacement of over 4,000 individuals and substantial damage to property, with goods worth millions of naira lost.

Orji stated that the area would be cleared to make way for a Sea Side Resort, featuring green park areas for leisure and recreation. He emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing illegal structures and ensuring safety in the area.

Victims of the demolition expressed frustration, claiming they were not adequately informed beforehand. They argued that they had been law-abiding citizens, paying taxes and levies as required, and were blindsided by the sudden demolition.

Chief Okechukwu Okoye, representing one of the affected businesses, lamented the loss of over 130 shops and valuable equipment, insisting that all structures were legally approved and registered.

However, the NIWA Area Manager, Suleiman Nicholas, refuted claims that the state government had authority to act without notifying the agency. Nicholas asserted that if there were illegal structures encroaching on NIWA’s Right of Way, the state government should have lodged a complaint for appropriate action.

The demolition has sparked controversy, with traders and authorities at odds over the legality and necessity of the exercise, highlighting broader concerns about land use and regulation in the region.