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4,000 displaced as Anambra demolishes illegal structures in Onitsha
Along the Niger River near Niger Street in Fegge, Onitsha, the Unlawful Buildings and Shady Camps have been destroyed by the Onitsha South Local Government Area's authority in Anambra State.
Demolition of machine houses, stores, and sand beaches belonging to sand miners and traders operating in the vicinity took place during the exercise, which began on Sunday and went on Monday.
Roughly one month has passed since the council area demolished over 2,300 stores in the same vicinity, and the demolition has harmed many equipment residences, shops, and commercial premises.
According to information our correspondent received, the activity had forced out at least 4,000 local traders and sand miners who were conducting business.
Emeka Orji, the chairman of the Onitsha South Local Government Area, oversaw the demolition with the assistance of more than fifteen Anambra State Vigilante Service agents.
Orji reiterated during the exercise how determined the state government is to take back the land from its current occupants.
Orji declared, "The state government is determined to remove illegal structures that are damaging the environment and reclaim the land from its current occupiers." Despite being advised to leave the area, the affected victims disregarded the advice.
Some of the impacted sand miners were seen quickly clearing out their tools, such as sand drilling machines, while the traders among them were observed packing up their goods, such as food, snacks, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, from the area as the destruction was taking place.
They were bemoaning the fact that the exercise had left them homeless and jobless at the same time.
A petrol station that was targeted for demolition nearly produced a crisis during the exercise when its owners became agitated and began to kick against the demolition.
When the vigilantes intervened and began firing intermittently, the agitated individuals were scared off and avoided approaching the demolition site.
According to Lucky Okoye, one of the casualties, more than 20 of the approximately 40 houses that housed River Craft Machines were damaged. Each River Craft Machine employed 18 to 25 individuals who are now unemployed.
Mrs. Agnes Ezeh, a trader who lost some of her goods in her demolished shop, claimed that Monday's demolition also wrecked around 60 small-business owners' stores. Apart from the 250 persons displaced on Sunday during the demolition, sand beaches were also levelled during the demolition exercise, resulting in a total of around 760 displaced people.
The beaches at Uche Okafor, Beneath Ozoemena, Chidi Iheme, Alhaji Danladi and Sumo, Alhaji Salusi Nnaemeka, Obidi Ibeanu, and Daniel Eze were among the victims.
Amaonye and Omekigbo Braches, both of which employ at least 80 people, are among the other businesses impacted by Monday's demolition. Additionally, the demolition forced over thirty local shop owners to relocate.
Numerous impacted individuals were observed hastily taking down their multi-million naira sand drilling machines, also referred to as River Craft Machines, at the site of the demolition. Traders within the group were observed taking down their goods, which included food, snacks, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Sand labourers were heard complaining that they would be out of a job.