Abia State Government has demolished residential buildings at the former Umuahia main market, saying that the structures were built without government approval.
The demolition was carried out by the Umuahia Capital Development Authority, UCDA, in what the state government said was part of the efforts to transform Umuahia into a modern city and befitting capital.
A statement released by the General Manager of UCDA, Mr Kingsley Agomoh, on Monday said the former market space was allocated to a private investor by the previous administration for the purpose of building an event centre on a Build, Operate, and Transfer, BOT, arrangement.
According to him, the investor unilaterally repurposed the space and started developing residential duplexes and apartments, contrary to the government’s plan.
He explained that the Abia State Government has been engaging the investor for the past one year and has offered a negotiated ex-gratia settlement that involves taking over the space for the building of a modern transportation hub that would integrate bus terminal, train station and intercity shuttles.
A visit to the demolished buildings on Monday morning showed the debris of the structures sprawled on the ground, while a crowd of residents gathered at the scene, discussing in hushed tones.
