Anambra State Government Defends Demolition Of Illegal Structures

The Anambra state government has categorically denied allegations stemming from a viral video and accompanying media reports that claim government officials demolished property belonging to the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) in the Trans-Nkisi area of Onitsha.

Recent media coverage featured a video asserting that the Anambra State Joint Taskforce, led by the Anambra State Physical Planning Board (ANSPPB), had invaded the NTA premises and demolished structures owned by the station. The video further alleged that Taskforce members damaged an NTA camera, confiscated phones from bystanders attempting to record the incident, and physically assaulted journalists, including NTA Onitsha’s General Manager, Violet Nnadi. In the footage, Nnadi claimed that the demolished structures were NTA property and stated that they received no prior notice of the demolition.

In response to these allegations, Barr. Chike Mmaduekwe, Managing Director of the Anambra State Physical Planning Board, described the video and its claims as “fabricated falsehoods” aimed at misleading the public and discrediting the government.

During an interview with Voice of Nigeria, Mmaduekwe clarified that the structures in question were not official NTA properties but illegal shanties constructed on government-owned land and along public thoroughfares. He noted that these unauthorized structures included both rental and residential units, as well as a substandard pit latrine erected next to the road.

“Does NTA build shanties? Is it part of their primary responsibility? Does NTA rent out shanties? Who authorized them to build and collect rent? Ignorance of the law is no excuse,” he asserted.

Mmaduekwe reiterated that Anambra State law mandates that anyone seeking to build, including government entities, must obtain approval from the Physical Planning Board. He emphasized that this policy applies universally and has been in place for years.

Contrary to Nnadi’s assertions that no pre-demolition notice was given, Mmaduekwe stated that multiple notices had been issued over the past three years, including one as recently as last week, all of which were ignored. He provided evidence in the form of a video showing “REMOVE” markings on the shanties, which had reportedly been marked since 2023.

The claim of police brutality against NTA personnel was also dismissed by Mmaduekwe. He accused Nnadi of orchestrating a scene during the demolition to obstruct lawful government actions, calling the allegations of aggression a “deliberate act of deception and cheap propaganda.”

“No one manhandled her or damaged any cameras, as she claimed. If anything, her provocative behavior almost led to a confrontation with security personnel,” he stated, revealing that he had intervened to prevent any escalation during the incident.

Stressing the government’s commitment to eradicating lawlessness, Mmaduekwe announced that all remaining illegal structures in the Trans-Nkisi area would be dismantled in the forthcoming days. He stressed that the land is designated as government estate, where construction of a boulevard is underway.

“Governor Chukwuma Soludo’rules administration upholds the of law. This is not a lawless state,” he declared. “The rules are clear, and everyone must comply. Whether you are a private individual, corporate body, or government agency, failure to obtain approval from the Physical Planning Board will result in enforcement of the law.”

Mmaduekwe further confirmed that the government would not compromise on these regulations as development and order within the state remain paramount.