By Praise Chinecherem
Anambra State government has warned owners of structures without approval, particularly those on waterways’ right-of-way to remove them immediately, insisting such facilities existed at the owners risk.
The government urged communities to take action to prevent sand excavations in undesignated areas of the state, denouncing human behaviour and conduct that have fuelled stormwater and gully erosion in the state.
Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor said the warning was part of the discussions at the maiden meeting of the Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) for the year.
Mefor, in a statement said the buildings along waterways violated the Land Use Act, which vested in the states physical planning responsibility.
He said the Council approved award of contracts for the building of a Protocol Lounge at Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri, memo for release of N380,600,669.48 for rehabilitation of all internal roads at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) Amaku, among others.
The statement reads, “Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC), at its first meeting for the year held on 3rd February 2025 at Council Chamber, Awka, noted that structures without state government approval, particularly those on waterways’ right-of-way, exist at the risk of their owners because they violate the Land Use Act, which vests in the states physical planning responsibility.
“Members were also encouraged to take the exercise seriously to stay fit.
“The Council urged communities to take action to prevent sand excavations in undesignated areas of the state, denouncing human behaviour and conduct that have fuelled stormwater and gully erosion in the state, which is endangering some communities and transforming the state into an ecologically endangered zone.
“The contract for the building of a Protocol Lounge at Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri, Anambra State, was approved. The proposal to build the Protocol Lounge at the airport was accepted, and Gill Associates Ltd. was given the contract, which will cost N144 million, and will be completed in seven weeks.
“The memo for the release of N380,600,669.48 for the rehabilitation of all internal roads with a complete asphaltic overlay at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) Amaku, Awka, was also approved by the ANSEC meeting.
“Damtech Nig. Ltd. was given the N140 million contract of creating a responsive master plan for the management of the Aguata Storm Water Project, which is to be finished in three months.
“The memo for the release of the sum of N84,255,318.00 was approved for the completion works at the specialist hospital Fegge, Onitsha South LGA. The contract was awarded to the Crystal Dove Construction Company Ltd.”
