Anambra governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, issued a 7-day ultimatum to owners of illegal structures in Onitsha, going against the master plan of the commercial city.
Speaking today during a courtesy visit to the city. Soludo lamented that the master plan of Onitsha is originally beautiful, but the town has been disorganised by reckless construction and a blatant disregard for due process.
The Anambra governor stated that his administration will fix Onitsha and transform the city into a conducive and fit place for residential living. He reiterated that the vast expanse of space in Onitsha cannot be allocated to just markets and business sites.
During his inspection, Soludo pointed out illegal structures built on a space originally intended to be open. He ordered the mayor of Onitsha to identify the property owners and formally inform them of the 7-day ultimatum.
” We must restore the master plan. We are giving the developers who built these buildings the benefit of the doubt. Bring us your certificates of occupancy, title to the land, and approvals,” says Soludo, referring to some buildings in the area.
Onitsha is reportedly the second most densely populated area in Nigeria, after Lagos, and it serves as the commercial capital of eastern Nigeria. The city is known for commerce powered by the Main Market, which is touted as the largest market in West Africa.
The city is currently experiencing a high rate of urbanisation as the urban and commercial areas spill into the rural areas, driven by market expansion and the influx of people from other parts of eastern Nigeria.
Significant areas in Onitsha include Awada, Upper Iweka, Feggae, Nnewi, 33, Federal Housing Estate, Nkpor, Omoaba, and environs.
