Aba landlords back Orji’s demolition plan.

Aba landlords back Orji’s demolition plan

The plan by the Abia State government to demolish illegal structures in Aba, its commercial hub, has received the backing of landlords in the area, on the aegis of Aba Landlords Association.

The group, at a recent meeting with Governor Theodore Orji, noted that they were solidly behind the state government’s plan to reduce the perennial flooding in the city.

Led by E.C. Mejeh, the association applauded the efforts of the state government in sustaining security in the state, especially Aba and urged Governor Orji not to be distracted.

In his response, the governor expressed determination to sanitise Aba, noting that he was not unmindful of the neglect Aba had suffered in the past, stressing that he would make a difference.

According to him, there is no going back on the demolition exercise, which will help in deflooding Aba. He assured Aba residents that the roads would get the desired attention as soon as the dry season sets in, noting that the Abia road maintenance agency and Ministry of Works have started remedial works on some roads in the area.

Recall that Governor Orji, in a recent interaction with journalists in Umuahia, affirmed that his administration, would not abandon its programme on demolition of illegal structures in Umuahia and Aba until people stop erecting structures on drains and unapproved places.

The state government had set up a taskforce on environment to open up its urban centres, especially Aba, that was defaced by residents.

CityFile gathered that the recurrent flooding of Aba was as a result of blockage of drains by residents and organisations that built on waterways and other unauthorised places.