Removal Notices: Anambra Warns Property Owners Against Fake Interventions

By Ndife David, Awka

The Anambra State Government has warned shop owners, traders and property developers affected by ongoing urban regeneration projects to beware of fraudsters claiming they can halt or alter official removal notices in exchange for money.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Barr. Chijioke Ojukwu, issued the warning in a statement.

He stated that the state’s urban regeneration programme remains non-negotiable.

Barr. Ojukwu urged affected property owners, particularly those whose properties are located along designated project corridors, to take government directives seriously and reject anyone demanding payment in exchange for purported intervention.

He said the ministry would neither solicit nor accept money to withdraw, suspend, compromise or influence any removal notice issued in connection with the Main Market, Onitsha, or other regeneration sites across the state.

The Commissioner further warned that no individual has the authority to cancel, alter, withdraw or invalidate an official removal notice in exchange for money or any other consideration.

According to him, the notices are issued strictly on the basis of approved project designs, plans and layouts handed over to the ministry for implementation.

He therefore advised affected stakeholders to rely only on the ministry’s official communication channels for information concerning the projects.

Barr. Ojukwu reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to implementing the regeneration programme in an orderly, lawful and transparent manner, saying the exercise is being pursued in the overall public interest.