The Anambra State authorities, via the Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, has warned Onitsha landlords that the state authorities would now not tolerate the defacing of Onitsha, the business nerve centre of the state.
Ibezim gave the warning throughout an interactive session with the landlords of Onitsha South Native Authorities Space on the council secretariat, on Wednesday.
He additionally knowledgeable that the state authorities has deliberate a money reward of N10 million award to the primary avenue in Onitsha to finish the repainting of their buildings between February 1 and March 10, 2024.
Throughout the session, the deputy governor, additionally noticed that the majority homes in Onitsha shouldn’t have soak-away pits, whereas people who have, channel them into the Sakamori drainage system and Nwangene River, thereby inflicting well being hazards to inhabitants and this “doesn’t converse nicely of the most important business city in sub-Saharan Africa.”
He mentioned, “The essence of this assembly is for us to interface with you all, the landlords, on the necessity to clear the blocked drains, clear the refuse dumps, plant timber and paint your buildings to provide this place a face raise.”
Commissioner for Atmosphere, Felix Odimegwu, additionally harassed that the primary thrust of the assembly with the landlords was to sensitise them on the should be clearing the drains, planting timber, in addition to portray of their buildings.
Odimegwu mentioned, “We’re right here as a comply with as much as the final go to the place our governor despatched his deputy to return and work together with the Fegge landlords on degeneration and facelift of Onitsha.
“We wish to do that factor in three folds, repainting, the place the governor introduced out a problem referred to as, “Ka Anambra Chakee,” which prompted the governor to set a money reward to any avenue that comes collectively, focus on and embark on this initiative, paint from avenue finish to avenue finish.
“Every avenue that paints her homes and end them earlier than March 10 will come first, and receives N10 million, whereas the second and third will get N5 million and N3 million respectively.
“One other one is cleansing of drainages, Onitsha was final rated because the dirtiest place in West Africa, however this authorities, because it got here, is deliberate to alter Onitsha from the current narrative and place it on the proper course it ought to be.
“Since stable roads constructions are happening, it is going to be an eyesore that the environments, buildings inside these roads are dilapidated, everyone knows that paints assist in defending homes, so we’re right here to understand the governor.
“Fegge is nicely deliberate, once we paint all our homes, plant timber, it would make your properties precious, respect naturally and likewise be conducive for international buyers and companies.”
He averred that the World Well being Organisation has additionally made it identified that 60 per cent of the causes of illnesses are from the surroundings, including that clear surroundings with good air, plus good meals would scare sicknesses away.
He enthused, “The native authorities chairman fastened this assembly at the moment to ginger Onitsha landlords, and as you might be doing it, Awka landlords are additionally doing theirs, likewise Awada and the chairman is making an attempt to see that Onitsha landlords come first. If this primary, second and third positions come to Onitsha South, it is going to be exceptional.
“The identical applies to tree planting, if we will additionally plant step timber, masquerade tree, map out small house for this, every avenue ought to select their alternative and every constructing crops two step timber every in entrance of their buildings and in straight line too.”
The native council chairman, Chief Emeka Joseph Orji, defined that within the final one yr, his administration has been capable of implement cleanliness and elimination of unlawful constructions in addition to retailers constructed on prime of the culverts.
Orji mentioned that the council space would cease at nothing to place Onitsha in its place, including that there ought to be no sacred cows as people who had been in opposition to the legislation would face the music.
The Chairman, City Regeneration Council, Michael Okonkwo, famous that the state authorities wished to copy what’s seen in developed nations, including that the initiative would put Onitsha on the earth map of cities which have enabling surroundings for enterprise and wholesome residing.
Talking earlier, the spokesman of the Fegge landlords, Chief Ignatius Agabarugo, famous that they had been able to cooperate with the state authorities on the initiative, however complained concerning the extortions of landlords by suspected touts, each time a landlord is finishing up renovation of his constructing.
He additional urged the state authorities to look into double taxation and cost of property charges, which based on him has been a rip off on the landlords.
