By Ifeoma Ejiofor
The Anambra State Government has intensified its Operation Zero Shanties campaign, demolishing shanties and illegal structures in strategic parts of Nnewi, Ozubulu and Onitsha as part of efforts to restore order and enforce physical planning regulations across the state.
The exercise, led by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Barr. Chijioke Ojukwu, was carried out in line with the Physical Planning Law of Anambra State and targeted structures obstructing public spaces, drainage channels, pedestrian walkways and other areas earmarked for orderly development.
Speaking during the enforcement operation, Ojukwu declared that “it is no longer business as usual,” warning residents, traders and property developers to take notices issued by the ministry seriously and comply with approved planning requirements to avoid sanctions.
The Commissioner said the ministry had issued several eviction and enforcement notices before the demolitions, but some affected persons treated the directives with levity.
He explained that the structures were removed because they either defaced the environment, obstructed pedestrian movement or occupied spaces meant for public infrastructure and orderly development.
In Nnewi, Ojukwu disclosed that a building erected directly on a drainage channel was demolished, while shanties and other unauthorised structures around the Traffic Light axis, including the Umuele Entrance junction and Nkwo Triangle, were removed during the operation.
He said the enforcement team also moved to Ugwuoye, Ozubulu, where several shanties around the perimeter of Joint Hospital were demolished for allegedly compromising the appearance and proper use of the area.
According to him, the exercise demonstrates the government’s resolve to enforce planning standards without discrimination.
At Onitsha Main Market, the ministry combined demolition with on-site inspection as part of efforts to improve compliance, safeguard public spaces and promote a cleaner, safer and better-organised commercial environment.
Ojukwu stressed that the government’s objective was not merely demolition but the restoration of sanity and sustainable urban development.
He said the government remained determined to build safer, cleaner and better-planned urban centres where development conforms with the law and serves the long-term public interest.
The Commissioner urged residents and developers across Anambra to obtain the necessary planning approvals before embarking on construction, warning that the Operation Zero Shanties campaign would continue statewide.
