Urges traditional rulers and community leaders to escalate awareness
By Marietta Munachimso
The government of Anambra State under the leadership of Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo has warned the occupants of illegal structures across Amawbia-Agulu-Nanka-Ekwulobia-Uga Roads to relocate in view of government’s decision to dualize the roads along that axis.
In a report available to Citypost, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information Sir Paul Nwosu in an official statement on Friday conveyed the directives of Anambra State government to residents and business owners within the routes marked for dualization.
The statement reads in part;
“In line with Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s plan to bequeath an enduring road network to Ndi Anambra, the Government of Anambra State will soon embark on the dualization of Amawbia-Agulu-Nanka-Ekwulobia-Uga Roads.
“Though these are federal roads, they are primarily used by Ndi Anambra. Governor Soludo has therefore redesigned them for reconstruction to better facilitate commercial, industrial and agricultural activities across the areas they cut through.
“In the light of this, government wishes to advise property owners along those routes to begin to plan how to relocate them somewhere else.
“The law demands that any property along a federal highway must be set back 47.5 meters from the centre of the road. Anything short of that is in violation of the law and such a property will be regarded and treated as an illegal structure which we do not wish to happen.
“Government is therefore calling on traditional rulers (Ndi Igwe) and President Generals of the affected communities, as well as market leaders, to escalate the awareness campaign in their localities on the need to relocate shops and houses from the brink of these roads. The traditional rulers and PGs should also come together to take practical steps in mapping out areas where those that would be consequently affected can resettle before the construction work commences.
“By this early notice, Government wishes to minimize avoidable losses on the part of those that will be affected.
Sir Paul Nwosu is the Anambra State Commissioner for Information
