Chinedum Treasure
Anambra State Government has advised affected shop owners and developers to beware of fraudsters offering them shortcut remedies in the ongoing enforcement of physical planning regulations across the state.
Commissioner of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Bar Chijioke Ojukwu who gave the warning in a statement reminded the public that the urban regeneration programme agenda was not negotiable.
He advised affected property owners especially those within designated project corridors to treat government directives with utmost seriousness, adding that those asking for money from them were scammers.
“Members of the public are therefore strongly advised to beware of fraudsters, impostors and unscrupulous individuals who may approach affected persons with claims that payment of money can stop, suspend or influence the implementation of any removal notice.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Ministry will never demand or solicit money from any person to compromise, withdraw or recant any removal notice issued in connection with the Main Market, Onitsha, or any other market regeneration project site within Anambra State.
“No individual has the authority to compromise, cancel, withdraw, alter or invalidate any official removal notice in exchange for money or any other considerations,” he added.
Ojukwu further highlighted that removal notices issued by the Ministry were based strictly on the approved project designs, plans and layouts handed over to it for implementation.
“We wish to inform the general public particularly shop owners, traders, occupants and other stakeholders at the Main Market, Onitsha, and indeed all markets and other locations currently undergoing regeneration that the removal notices are based on project designs.
“The Ministry has its official communication channels where affected property owners could get the right information from and not any random person,” he added.
The Commissioner assured of the Ministry’s commitment to orderly, lawful and transparent implementation of the regeneration programme in the overall public interest.
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