Agulu/Nanka road dualization: Protest trails Soludo’s warning to ‘illegal’ occupants to relocate

By Our correspondent

Some residents in Agulu/Nanka axis of Anambra State have protested the warning by the State Government that illegal occupants living in the area should relocate because of the planned dualization of the road.

Protesting over the development, the residents reminded the government that the Nigerian Constitution is clear about compensation to every Nigerian whose property is taken compulsorily.

One of the protesters said,” How can a government call people’s inherited property/structures illegal?

“Soludo should be ready to pay people their due compensation before destroying their property if he wants this beautiful project to be a success.”

Section 44(1) of the 1999 constitution reads: No moveable property or any interest in an immovable property shall be taken possession of
compulsorily and no right over or interest in any such property shall be acquired compulsorily in any
part of Nigeria except in the manner and for the purposes prescribed by a law that, among other things –
(a) requires the prompt payment of compensation
therefore and
(b) gives to any person claiming such
compensation a right of access for the
determination of his interest in the property and
the amount of compensation to a court of law or
tribunal or body having jurisdiction in that part of
Nigeria.

The state government in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information said, in line with Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s plan to bequeath an enduring road network to Ndi Anambra, the Government of Anambra State will be embarking on the dualization of the Agulu and Nanka Roads.

“Though these are federal roads, they are primarily used by Ndi Anambra. Governor Soludo has therefore redesigned them for reconstruction to better facilitate commercial, industrial and agricultural activities across the areas they cut through.

“In the light of this, government wishes to advise property owners along those routes to begin to plan how to relocate them somewhere else.

“The law demands that any property along a federal highway must be set back 47.5 meters from the centre of the road. Anything short of that is in violation of the law and such a property will be regarded and treated as an illegal structure which we do not wish to happen.

“Government is therefore calling on traditional rulers (Ndi Igwe) and President Generals of the affected communities, as well as market leaders, to escalate the awareness campaign on the need to relocate shops and houses from the brink of these roads.

“The traditional rulers and PGs should also come together to take practical steps to map out areas where those that would be consequently affected can resettle before the construction work commences.By this early notice, Government wishes to minimize avoidable losses.”