Remove Your Illegal Structure Now Or Face The Consequences – Anambra Govt Warns
Anambra State Government says it has observed that in spite of warnings given to owners of illegal structures to remove them, those notices have been largely disregarded.
The Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu, who made the observation in release on Tuesday, cautioned that this government is a proponent of law and order, and therefore, will not condone any flagrant violation of legitimate directives given in the interest of public good.
The Commissioner said, “Government has repeatedly stated that these illegal structures distort and completely mangle our cities’ original masterplan. This has resulted in the blocking of our drainages and water channels, causing flooding and, sometimes, loss of lives. This can no longer be tolerated as the rainy season is just around the corner.
“Let it be known, therefore, that as government has directed individuals, companies, market and park leaders to commence intensive desilting of their gutters and drainages, it will soon start a sustained campaign to remove illegal structures.
“Owners of such structures are therefore advised to remove them on their own so that they can carefully evacuate their belongings. But where they ignore government notices and the structures are removed by government, the owner(s) of such structure(s) will bear the cost of the logistics of removal. “The owner of the structure will be given a stipulated time to pay, after which the property/goods within would be disposed to settle the cost.
“Government is not unmindful of the fact that some of these illegal structures might have been erected by the owners out of ignorance of the law or due to economic circumstances or lack of knowledge of the negative consequences of their actions to the environment and human lives.
“But now that they know, it is only proper they remove the structures by themselves to avoid the harsh consequences that may trail their negligence to act promptly”, he stressed.
