Lamentation as Earth Rolling Machine Demolishes Plaza in Anambra; Union Threatens Court Action against Govt.

FROM TOBIAS EKIRIKA (ONITSHA)

There was lamentation last Monday at Timber Market Bridgehead Onitsha, Anambra State when agents suspected to have come from Onitsha South Council Area stormed with earth rolling machine and pulled down a storey building located along Niger Street, Bridgehead area of the commercial hub center of Onitsha. 

According to an eyewitness account, the building with thirty-six shops was fully occupied by mobile phones, foreign door dealers, and other business owners before its demolition.

However, the reasons behind the demolition were still sketchy at press time as the plaza, it was gathered is said not to be under dispute nor constructed on top of the drainage or none approved stipulated area by the state government.

Contending the demolition, the Uba Planks and Joints Association Owners’ Chairman, Chief Emmanuel Obunso said there was no prior notice given to them by the Onitsha South Local Government led by its Chairman, Hon. Emeka Orji.

He lamented that property worth over Five Hundred Million Naira was destroyed while vandals had ample opportunity and vandalized the traders. Chief Obunso posited that sources of livelihood for the traders have been suddenly halted because of the negligent attitude used by some highly placed public officers.

Disclosing that the Deputy Governor, Dr. Ibezim had earlier this year visited Niger Street on a fact, the fact-finding mission did exonerate the plaza after being presented with property documents and approval from the Anambra State Physical Planning Board, the Chairman wondered about the rationale behind the action of Onitsha South Local Government authority.

While calling on the State Government to call Onitsha State to do the needful as the union, UPJA  did not contravene the law concerning the demolished plaza, the traders through their Chief Obunso threatened to drag Onitsha South Local Government and her agents to court if the local government failed to rebuild the damaged plaza and pay compensation of their damaged goods and other valuable items.

When our correspondent visited Onitsha South Local Government for clarification, the Chairman of the Council was not in his office, and calls made to his mobile phone, which was volunteered by one of the staff of the council kept repeating ‘Not available now, call back later.

However, a highly placed official in the Council under the condition of anonymity claimed that the Local Government had severally warned the plaza owners of the planned demolition.

FACE OF THE PLAZA BEFORE ITS DEMOLITION