The State Government today commenced demolition of illegal shanties existing around Kwatta-Awka axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway and eviction of the occupants.
The exercise jointly spearheaded by the State Physical Planning Board and the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, was carried out by men of the Nigerian Army, the Police, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, Ocha Brigade and the State vigilante.
When our news crew arrived the scene, a bulldozer was seen demolishing the illegal shanties erected at the place as the inhabitants screamed and ran helter-skelter.
Addressing newsmen, the Special Adviser to the governor on Security, Prevention and Operations, Mr Chikodi Anarah explained that the exercise is in line with the decision of the state government to wipe out crime and criminality and rid all parts of the state of shanties that may constitute a hideout for criminals.
Mr Anarah revealed that notices were issued to the inhabitants who include people from all parts of the country earlier last year to vacate the place, but they requested for an extension of time which government granted, adding that the persons still living there are the recalcitrant ones who do not want to obey government.
According to him, the state government has done everything the law requires of it to assist the people relocate even to the point of negotiating an alternative place for them to reside but they remained adamant, hence the need for the exercise.
The Managing Director and Superintendent General of Ocha Brigade, Mr Pat Obiefuna noted that the place aside from harbouring criminals, the structures inherent are illegal which is in contrast with the beautification agenda for Awka capital territory.
On whether they considered the ownership of the land before the exercise, the OCHA brigade MD posited that aside the fact that by law, all lands belong to government, what they are more interested in is what is the land is being used for.
There however, arose during the exercise, a protest from the inhabitants some of whom refused to leave, saying that they were not given enough time to vacate the place.
As a result, they started attacking the law enforcement agents with stones and sticks before they were dispersed with teargas.
The Chairman of the place, Mr Abdulsaidu Saleh acknowledged that they were issued eviction notice about two months ago which they agreed and requested for time to relocate but said all their efforts to secure an abode were frustrated by youths of the various communities who refused them entry, regretting that all their property were destroyed during the demolition.
"We got a land at Amawbia and have already paid the owner, only to go and clear the land and meet youths who refused that we will inhabit the land. A similar situation took place again at Isuaniocha and we have informed government. We are totally decimated by this demolition", he lamented.
An indigene of Awka, Mr Onuorah Nwude who the inhabitants of the area claim collects rents from them, said the land is the only inheritance he has from his father and berated Government for demolishing the structures erected by his tenants without notifying him.
According to him, "We are five brothers and our father has shared his lands and this is mine. I put these people as tenants and government is demolishing their structures without telling me, their Landlord. Last year, I heard government wants to use this land to compensate Senator Annie Okonkwo, a man who has taken almost all the lands belonging to Awka Community. We are not going to run away from our land. If government takes this land, I will die".
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