By Okon Okon
Over 40 building constructions going on simultaneously in Building Materials Market (Timber shed) Umuokpu Awka have been marked for demolition on August 17, 2022.
The buildings and other structures do not have master plans and were erected without official approval from relevant authorities.
The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry Dr Obinna Ngonadi visited the market in the company of the Managing Director of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) Barr Amaechi Okwuosa.
Ngonadi said he received several reports from some citizens of Anambra on the happenings around them especially as it concerns illegal structures in their markets, and this is in line with the Governor's statement "if you see something, say something".
"Based on the information, we visited the timber market".
The Commissioner noted that the buildings have no minimum standard requirements that are supposed to be in any market, with no consideration at all for toilet facilities.
According to the Commissioner, some traders while in a conversation revealed that the market executives conspired with some politicians to sell off some portions of the market spaces to developers at the rate of 30, 40, or 50 million naira each.
He made it clear that the leadership of the market who were expected to work in partnership with the government to modernize the market have proved to be a big disappointment.
On his part, the M/D of ACTDA Barr Amaechi Okwuosa who ordered the illegal buildings to be marked for demolition said that he is giving the owners 7 days to provide the market master plan and approval for other structures.
According to Okwuosa, the master plans will inform the decision on the areas that are in violation, and the extent of demolition to be carried out.
"Failure to comply with the directives, we are going to remove whatever structure that has been marked", he added.