By Ify Okoli
The Abia State Government has demolished shops and shanties
along the Nigerian Railways Quarters in Umuahia to make way for a road project
designed to improve traffic movement in the state capital.
The demolition, carried out by the Umuahia Capital
Development Authority (UCDA), affected structures on the right flank of the
Railway Quarters, including shops used by electronics dealers, dry cleaners and
other businesses, as well as makeshift structures occupied by residents.
The road is planned to run from the First Bank junction
through Market Road and the Railway Quarters before linking up with Akanu Ibiam
Road.
According to the project design and a Memorandum of
Understanding between the Abia State Government and the Nigeria Railway
Corporation (NRC), the route is part of an agreement between both parties
concerning development in the area.
The state government says the project is intended to ease
traffic congestion in Umuahia while also improving the appearance of the state
capital.
By Thursday, the UCDA had completed the demolition of the
affected structures along the Railway Quarters and Akanu Ibiam Road.
The development authority defended the exercise, saying
occupants had been given adequate notice to leave before the demolition began.
Some of those affected acknowledged receiving notices from
the government and said they were aware of the deadline to vacate the premises.
However, they said finding alternative accommodation for
their homes and businesses within the available time had proved difficult.
The demolitions have therefore cleared the section required
for the road construction, while affected occupants are now faced with finding
new premises for their homes and businesses.
The project forms part of ongoing efforts by the Abia State
Government to reshape parts of Umuahia and improve movement through some of the
city's busy areas.
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