ACTDA Launches Clampdown on Street Trading, Demolition Of Illegal Shanties

By Rose Uwa

The Awka Capital Development Authority (ACTDA) has commenced demolition of illegal structures along major roads, drainage lines, and walkways within the State Capital Territory.

The demolition exercise carried out at Unizik Tempsite, Regina Caeli junction, Oby Okoli Avenue, Okpuno, Abakiliki Street, and Club Road areas of Awka was a result of the expiration of several warning and demand notices served to those illegal traders which were ignored.

Speaking with journalists in Awka, the Managing Director of Awka Capital Development Authority Mr. Ossy Onuko said the outright demoli­tion underscored the seriousness of Soludo’s led administration about law and order restoration. He insists that the Agency would not condone any forms of illegality across her jurisdiction.

Onuko, who spoke through the Head of the Department of Development and Control Unit Mr. Charles Ekwunife said the exercise has just begun and would cover areas where roads were taken over by street traders.

He advised traders to desist from setting up illegal structures and trading along the streets, as according to him, the government would leave no stone unturned to sanitize Awka of illegal structures and shanties.

” Those shanties put up on the road deface Awka. Take your goods to the market and sell them. There are roads and streets not meant for trading and Awka Capital Territory is one of them”.

Major shanties demolished by ACTDA were structures obstructing the free flow of movement, ones constructed under high-tension wires and street light poles.