By Chukwuka Ugokwe
Anambra State Government has announced plans to construct Pedestrian Walkways and Utility Lines on newly built Agulu- Ekwulobia, and Agulu- Nnewi dual carriage roads to ease human movement.
To facilitate the project, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development on Tuesday, June 21, marked and served a 14-day removal notices to owners of structures erected on the affected road corridors.
The team led by Mrs Ngozi Okwudili, Head, Development Control, in the Ministry, covered Agulu, Nanka, Ekwulobia sections of the dual carriage roads,
During the exercise, she stressed that the newly built roads were originally designed with specific provisions for construction of pedestrian Walkways and Utility Lines, describing encroachments by some business operators as unfortunate.
“During the construction, they told them that from the centre of the road to left or right that the dimension should be 42.5metres, they didn’t observe it.The markings showed where they will stop during the construction.
“After demolition, they went back to build up everything, that is why government said they should observe approved set-back. There is need for Pedestrian Walkways”
Okwudili, reiterated government resolve to construct the safety infrastructure in no distant time in its efforts to protect pedestrians who use the roads daily to access schools, markets, and transport services.
According to her, shop owners should be discouraged from carrying out their daily activities on safety infrastructure to enhance free flow of human traffic.
The team, thereafter, continued with its routine exercise of demolishing illegal structures blocking access road in Aguluzoigbo Community, Anaocha Local Government Area.
It also marked and served notice to owner of a plaza under construction at Afor Market, Nawfia Community, Njikoka Local Government Area for violating the state government physical planning laws, including building without permit.
