Abia demolishes illegal structures, vows to end ‘urban sprawl’

Abia state government has commenced the demolition of illegal structures in Aba, the commercial hub of the state. 

The exercise which began on Friday, according to NAN, is being carried out by the demolition team of the town planning authority in Aba city. The team has removed some structures in Aba north, Aba south, Osisioma, Obingwa and Ugwunagbor areas. 

Speaking on Aba urban rejuvenation, Uche Ukeje,  special adviser to Alex Otti,  governor of Abia, said the demolition exercise is not a witch-hunt, but an exercise to correct planning errors. 

He said the lack of political will on the part of former administrations led to a big challenge for planning authorities and resulted in unmitigated urban sprawl in Aba.

“The challenge of building according to plan in Abia had both been the failure and lack of the political will on the part of the government,” he said. 

“The right thing to do is that the government plans before people move into an area. That way, we will be able to structure development, control land use, and determine how the city develops.

“In the past 24 years, no government has tried to update the master plan for our cities. There has been what is called urban sprawl; the city has grown without control.”

Ukeje also said if left in its present state, Aba would grow into an unmanageable city with people erecting structures against the development plan. 

“Boutiques dot everywhere; residential houses have been turned into warehouses and offices and the government is now communicating and enforcing the rule at the same time,” he added.

He added that a new master plan would be prepared and new areas where authorised development could take place would be opened up. 

He said the urban sprawl would no longer be tolerated in Aba as planning authorities now have the responsibility to align structures to the development plan of the city.

Ukeje said infrastructure such as roads, electricity; and water would be extended to unplanned places without necessarily destroying the entire environment.

The demolition exercise also includes the sealing of an unapproved set of shops being erected near Ariaria International Market, in Osisioma local government area.