In a bid to strengthen the State government’s urban regeneration drive, Anambra State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has marked in fewer than 500 property for demolition in the industrial nerve-centre of the State for alleged breaches of development control.

Recall that Governor Soludo recently undertook inspection tour of Nnewi, and the demolition exercise apparently forms part of a broader strategy to reclaim abandoned public assets, eliminate urban blight, address infrastructure deficits, and create a more functional and attractive city environment.

‎ To this end, the Ministry has‎ commenced the issuance of demolition notices to the owners and occupiers of such property it termed illegal, dilapidated, and unsafe structures across Nnewi.

‎The affected structures include shanties erected beneath high-tension power lines, buildings constructed without approved setbacks,unauthorized developments, filling stations, hotels, and other decrepit structures considered hazardous to public safety and urban development.

‎The targeted locations, it was gathered, span major corridors and strategic areas of the city, including the Nnewi Triangle axis, Hundred Foot Road, Post Office area, Anaedo Road, Igwe Orizu Road, Ezemewi Road, Nkwo axis, and sections of the Nnewi–Owerri Road right-of-way and also other major Trunk A road corridors in Otolo, Umudim, and Uruagu.

Throwing more light on the enforcement exercise in Nnewi, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Chijioke Oseloka Ojukwu ‎‎confirmed that more than 500 owners of illegally constructed structures have been served notices and granted a two-week ultimatum to comply before government enforcement and demolition activities commence. Ojukwu pointed out that the measure is part of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s ambitious urban renewal programme aimed at transforming the commercial city.

‎According to him. Ojukwu stressed that the action is in line with Governor Soludo’s vision of building a cleaner, safer, and more orderly urban environment, adding that it lays the foundation for the comprehensive regeneration of Nnewi and the restoration of its position as a premier industrial and commercial hub.

Ojukwu said the enforcement marks the first phase of a comprehensive regeneration initiative designed to restore order, improve infrastructure, and reposition Nnewi as a modern industrial and commercial hub.

‎The Commissioner noted that the affected structures include shanties, dilapidated buildings, unapproved developments, filling stations, hotels, and properties encroaching on public right-of-way or posing environmental and safety risks.

‎ Ojukwu said the notices also serve as a formal warning to owners of structures obstructing the right-of-way of the newly-dualized Nnewi – Owerri Road and other areas earmarked for redevelopment under the state’s urban transformation agenda.

He noted that the renewal programme will facilitate the completion of the long-abandoned Nnewi Triangle Mall, alongside the development of modern bus terminals, recreational centres, and other public infrastructure designed to enhance economic activity and urban mobility.

‎Ojukwu, however, expressed concern over the temporary inconvenience the exercise may cause, urging residents and business owners to cooperate with the government, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to enforcing physical planning laws with fairness and firmness in pursuit of a cleaner, safer, and more prosperous Nnewi.