BY IZUCHUKWU Adichie, Awka
Recently, there was news on some sections of social media regarding the Anambra State Housing Corporation’s actions to seal several properties at Udoka Housing Estate in Awka. The sealing of these properties was a result of the illegal conversion of residential buildings into political offices without obtaining the necessary approval.
It’s important to note that the sealing of these offices is not targeted at any specific group or individuals but is a response to the illegal use of residential buildings for commercial purposes without proper authorization.
Under the administration of Soludo, Anambra State had placed a strong emphasis on maintaining law and order. As a result, when property owners disregarded the law, thereby, allowing many residential buildings to be defaced by the constant posting of banners, bills, and other campaign and political party materials, the Housing Corporation’s enforcement team took action to prevent lawlessness and ensure that proper land use and urban development standards were upheld in the state.
The properties that were sealed belonged to individuals who violated the law -they were lawless. They should be grateful to Soludo’s compassion for not having their buildings revoked, as in some other states in Nigeria, the government would have confiscated them for not obeying the eviction notice given to them months before their properties were eventually sealed.
Therefore, the political claim that it was targeted at the Labour Party and one Edozie Njoku is a fallacy. The government would not have allowed a “betting house” to be situated in a residential area without approval, and they were warned to evacuate.
