Tears, lamentations and appeals for help trailed the demolition of shops and other structures in parts of Anambra State at the weekend as the state government intensified its crackdown on illegal and unauthorised developments.

Bulldozers and other heavy-duty equipment were deployed simultaneously to communities in Nawfia, Abagana and Onitsha, where structures described by the authorities as illegal or unapproved were pulled down.

The affected structures included shops and buildings erected on sidewalks, open public spaces, access roads and areas previously designated as motor parks.

The exercise, which began on Friday, September 18, was carried out by officials of the Anambra State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, accompanied by security personnel.

The enforcement team stormed Afor Market, Nawfia, and Oye Agu Market, Abagana, both in Njikoka Local Council, where several shops and other structures were demolished.

The exercise was later extended to Odoakpu in Onitsha, following reports that a three-storey building had allegedly been constructed on an access road without the required setback.

A structure reportedly intended to serve as a security house at Trans Nkisi Layout was also demolished after it allegedly obstructed access to some residential buildings.

Speaking on the exercise, the Head of Development Control of the ministry, Ngozi Okwudili, who led the enforcement team, said the demolitions followed due process, adding that the affected developers had been served repeated notices before the exercise.

She said one of the structures at Afor Market, Nawfia, was demolished because its building plan did not make adequate provision for parking space, while the plaza at Oye Agu Market, Abagana, was allegedly constructed without the required approval from the ministry.

“There is no space for parking of vehicles in the building plan. They are supposed to make provision for at least 45 per cent of the built-up area as parking space.

“We discovered there is none, and that is why we have to remove one of the buildings,” she said.

Okwudili said the government would sustain the enforcement exercise across the state to restore order and ensure compliance with physical planning laws and regulations.

She urged prospective developers to obtain the necessary approvals before commencing construction.

“My advice is that before you embark on any development, get your building plan and go for approval by approaching any of our District Heads in the local government areas or the ministry’s office,” she said.

For some of the victims, however, the demolitions came at a heavy financial cost, with some saying they had only recently secured the shops and invested their savings in their businesses.

One of them, Mrs Nneka Chidumeme, who sells baby items at Oye Agu Market, Abagana, said she had only begun settling into her newly rented shop after paying for it on August 28.

Chidumeme said she had exhausted her savings and borrowed money from friends, relatives and cooperative groups to secure the shop, hoping to recoup her investment during the busy yuletide shopping season.

She appealed to the state government to consider assisting affected traders, particularly in view of the economic hardship and the levies they had paid.

She also appealed to the wife of the state governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo, to intervene on behalf of the affected traders.

Another victim, Mrs Gloria Nwafor, who operated a small shop at Afor Market, Nawfia, said she shared the space with one of her daughters and depended on the business to support her family.

Nwafor, who said she had been widowed, lamented that the demolition could leave her without a means of livelihood.

“This period is inauspicious for any type of business to suffer this kind of setback.

“Since my husband died, this small place is where we have been depending on. Where would I get a new shop or the money to pay for one?” She asked.

The state government, however, maintained that the enforcement would continue across Anambra, urging residents and developers to comply with physical planning requirements to avoid the loss of property and investments.