Worried by the growing number of shanties and makeshift structures in Umuahia, the state capital and it’s attendant consequences, the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Abia State chapter, has called on Abia State Government through the Planning Authorities to dismantle shanties and makeshift structures to avoid further defacing of our towns.
The Chairman of the Institute, Tpl Stephen Chukwudi Nwazue, made the call on Sunday on the sidelines of various criminal activities and illegal businesses going on in some of the shanties and makeshift structures.
He said for Umuahia and her inhabitants to continue enjoying the peace and tranquility witnessed in the last couple of months, it has become germane for the Government, to carry out aggressive demolition of shanties and makeshift structures as done in other neighbouring States.
Tpl Nwazue encouraged members of the public to desist from erecting such structures on the road as it causes visual obstruction for road users and drivers, advising that they should go to designated places the government has approved for such businesses.
He hinted that in Umuahia, there are mini markets, Ubani market, shopping malls among others, where businesses can be done instead of defacing the city, adding that this practice sends wrong signals to those visiting the state for the first time.
He said the most disheartening is that some of them erect their shanties on drainages thereby blocking them, hence when it rains it causes flood.
Tpl Nwazue commended the General Manager Umuahia Capital Development Authority, Town Planner Enyinnaya Nwokonta, who recently embarked on the demolition of shanties, while calling on the State Government to make it holistic by demolishing all shanties in Umuahia to save the capital city. He therefore encouraged the Town Planning Authorities to toll the same line by making sure we achieve a pleasant and aesthetic environment here in Abia State.
