The Ebonyi State Ministry of Capital City Development and Urban Planning recently dismantled unauthorized structures positioned along key thoroughfares in Abakaliki. This initiative is a component of a broader effort to enforce building standards and improve sanitary conditions within the state capital.
Commissioner Richard Ugo Idike led a site visit alongside Permanent Secretary Martina Obia, Town Planning head Esther Nwite, and various ministry officials. During the operation, they targeted sites such as Nise Street, Edda Street, Afikpo Road, and the Express Highway. Shops blocking public pathways were removed to facilitate traffic flow for both vehicles and pedestrians.
Commissioner Idike noted that the intervention serves to uphold official building codes and stop encroachment on public assets. Furthermore, he mandated that local residents clear obstructed drainage channels near their buildings to mitigate flood risks and support public health. Property owners have been cautioned against ignoring approved zoning plans.
Permanent Secretary Obia requested that citizens assist the ministry by keeping their neighborhoods tidy and following regulatory directives. The ministry intends to conduct ongoing inspections to ensure adherence to urban development policies, reiterating its dedication to maintaining a safe, organized, and sustainable environment for the capital.