About 100 micro businesses operating around Ukwu-Orji, Ekwulobia Street and the Ministry of Land area around the Anambra Government House have been displaced.
The displacement followed a clampdown by the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), which worked under the protection of operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Kiosks, containers and makeshift shops built on setbacks between buildings and the road and did not cover or extend beyond the drainage were demolished.
Some residents said Monday that the ACTDA personnel demolished the structures and the goods inside.
“I am deeply pained that my stay in Awka for over 20 years and the business that sustains my family has been ruined by this government,” lamented a pay-TV maintenance operator identified as Sonjay, who operated in a container.
Another resident, Ifeoma, who said she had lived in the area for over 25 years when it was still a forest, regretted that the Anambra government evicted them without notice.
Ms Ifeoma said shops were scarce because of the buildings in the area and that the available ones were unaffordable to medium-scale business operators.
“It is sad we supported this government because the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) assured us that they represent the interest of the masses but see how they have rendered us useless. We needed at least one month’s notice if they must sack us, but, as you can see, they came suddenly with their caterpillar and destroyed our containers and goods. What we have is what we quickly rescued,” she said.
John Olanye, also a resident, said, “These petty businesses have been of immense help to the people living in the area. Apart from making money to sustain their families, they have been part of the development of the area. I have known some of them for about 15 years.”
Mr Olanye added, “They have the family they are feeding, but now, they have lost their sources of livelihood, and crime will likely increase. We had expected that this government would bring public primary and secondary schools, which had eluded us for decades, instead of destroying our businesses.”
Ossy Onuko, ACTDA managing director, whose agency carried out the demolition, did not immediately respond to a request seeking comments on the development.
However, information commissioner Paul Nwosu said the action was in line with the urban renewal policy of the Anambra government aimed at evolving a healthy and green environment.
Mr Nwosu said it was not true that traders were given only 24-hour notice before the demolition.
“They were given prior statutory notice. It’s not true that it was 24 hours’ notice. Victims will always lament to whip up sentiment,” he said.
(NAN)