Tension as Anambra Govt Set to Demolish Illegal Shops in Nnewi Markets

By Praise Chinecherem

Tension escalates as Anambra State government gets set to demolish illegally constructed shops in New Auto Spare Parts Association (NASPA), F-Line (Agbedo United Traders Association), and Zone-14 all in Nnewi. 

Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr Obinna Ngonadi supervised the structures around the markets on Wednesday in the company of the Chairman Anambra State Physical Planning Board, Bar Chike Maduekwe.

Ngonadi expressed displeasure on the way government property in NASPA market Nnewi was mishandled, while traders keep accusing government for failing to build market infrastructure. 

He disclosed that NASPA office secretariat was built by the State government, and the ground floor has been converted to shops and sold to private individuals. 

Similarly, the fire service office built inside the same market by the State government has been converted to shops and sold off, the fire truck inside cannot be moved because of blocked spaces. 

Parking spaces for vehicles were also covered with containers, shop extensions and attachments causing obstructions and nuisance inside the market. 

Ngonadi called on the caretaker committee executives of the market and their taskforce to remove those attachments and shanties to free up spaces. 

He warned that if the executives fail to comply with the directives, government has no other option than to dissolve the committees to make way for those willing to partner with her to build the State. 

Chairman Anambra State Physical Planning Board, Bar Chike Maduekwe ordered that all illegal shops inside NASPA, Agbedo United, F-Line and  Zone-14 which failed to meet the standards and approval be marked for demolition.