By Praise Chinecherem
Concerned Residents and Landlords at Otigba Enuovuve Layout, Nkwelle -Ezunaka Layout, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State have asked the Anambra State Physical Planning Board, Awka, to stop construction of the illegal structures blocking the Onitsha-Otuocha road at the Layout.
In a petition sent to the chairman of the Anambra State Physical Planning Board signed by the chairman of the Concerned members of the layout, Mr. John Okafor and secretary, Mr. Dennis Umeh, they alleged that one Mr. Chinazor Ezeayom, popularly known as Ikemba has been brazenly building block of stores on the Main road without the approval and authorization of the Physical Planning Board and other agencies responsible for such approvals for construction and erection of structures.
The concerned members of the layout had reported the matter to Zone 13 Police Command, Ukpo where he was ordered to stop work but he was said to have ignored the order and went ahead to engage in the construction.
The group alleged that Ezeayom had boasted that he would continue to construct the stores along the Otigba burrow-pit First Gate, opposite Holy Ghost Estate along Onitsha-Otuocha road with or without necessary approvals. He was said to have also said that he does not bother even if the building blocked the Onitsha-Otuocha road.
The members of the Layout said they had earlier laid their complaint to Oyi Local Government Area , asking the State Physical Board to beam their searchlight at the place mentioned so as to stop with immediate effect the ongoing construction of the building on the major road.
They said the entire community of Otigba Enuovuve Layout Nkwelle Ezunaka are complaining bitterly about the activities of this notorious land grabber who has formed the habit of grabbing people’s land and erecting structures on wrong and any available spaces without approval”.
They claimed that Ezeayom had boasted that nothing can stop him from erecting the building because he has rosy relationship with the Police in the State and some individuals in government agencies.
The Concerned group appealed to the State Physical Planning Board to come to their rescue and immediately remove this offensive structure which is obstructing the major road at the Otigba Enuovuve Layout, Nkwelle -Ezunaka.
But Mr. Ezeayom denied being a land grabber and erect a building in an unapproved place as the non-existent concerned group claimed. He also said that he did not block any major road, saying that he bought the portion of where he is now building from Akpukwu family of Enuovuve and paid necessary levies. He confirmed that Police from the AIG Zone 13, Ukpo invited him but after he made a statement his brother bailed him. They however told him to report on June 12, 2023.
