A joint Task force comprising the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) and four other agencies have embarked on massive demolition of illegal structures and shanties at the Ifite Road axis.The agencies are the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps (NCDC), the Anambra Transport Management Agency (ATMA), Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA Brigade) and the Nigerian Police.
The illegal structures and shanties also include those under high tension cables too.Addressing newsmen ahead of the exercise, the Managing Director of ACTDA, Ven. Amaechi Okwuosa explained that the aim of the exercise was to safeguard the life and property of people trading and dwelling under high tension cables.
“It is not aimed at inflicting pains and hardship on people but rather to ease them,’’ he said.According to him, there is a certain set back required before one can build around the high tension cables, stressing that the government is not complacent in enforcing the rules.In reaction, Mr Jude Azubuike, a trader, whose shop was demolished, lamented that he had just renewed his tenancy and feared that his landlord might not readily refund his payment.
Mrs Jacinta Okika, a Beer Parlour Operator, explained to the newsman amid tears that even though some of them had been directed several times to vacate the premise, she never imagined that the government would carry out the demolition exercise.Okwuosa emphasised his stand at ensuring that the authority would do its utmost to improve Awka Capital Territory and environs; follow the development plans in order to achieve the plan of the Government of having better developed cities.
