Commuters in A’Ibom commend UCCDA for ongoing demolition of illegal structures in Uyo Capital City
Commuters in A’Ibom commend UCCDA for ongoing demolition of illegal structures in Uyo Capital City
Commuters in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State Capital, have commended Uyo Capital City Development Authority (UCCDA), for the ongoing demolition exercise aimed at clearing illegal structures and shanties erected on government right of way along major roads within the capital city.
The commuters, including tricycle and mini bus operators, gave the commendation on Wednesday while exchanging views with journalists during another round of demolition exercise along Abak Road, Uyo.
The commuters said although the demolition appeared a bit disruptive to the smooth human and vehicular movement along the affected road, the temporary inconveniences were in the permanent interest of all road users and owners of those illegal structures whose lives were endangered while trading under high tension electric wires and poles.
A tricycle operator who gave his name as Mr. Edet, expressed appreciation to UCCDA for taking such steps in giving commuters visibility and clearance while on the road, saying there could not have been any other time to remove shanties and attached structures along roads than now that rains have increased in intensity.
Mr. Edet added that it was better and more reasonable for UCCDA to pull down illegal structures now, not only for the easy and unobstructed viewing of upcoming vehicles and other road users while on transit, but for enhanced economic activities expected to break forth in the state.
He therefore, urged other commuters, as well and those who had erected illegal structures in the right of way and other risk- prone areas within the capital city to cooperate with UCCDA, as the agency was rendering more than a life- serving service to the people.
Another commuter who spoke on condition of anonymity, lauded the Executive Chairman of UCCDA, Rt. Hon. Anietie Eka, for his courage and determination to cleanse the city of illegal structures which she said had almost distorted the aesthetics of the city which it is known for.
She however wondered why some people had refused to give the agency maximum cooperation to restore the dignity of the city, reminding that the demolition exercise had long been announced on radio and other media outlets, and therefore, should not be a surprise to anyone.
The commuters urged Akwa Ibom people to understand the mandate of UCCDA and the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno towards revolutionizing development within the capital city.
Recently, UCCDA has embarked on a continuous sanitization of the capital city, and the exercise is expected to permeate major roads, streets, roundabouts and market environments.
Recall that Pastor Eno, some time last month, had thrown his weight behind UCCDA to clear off all shanties and other illegal structures that could obstruct free flow of rain water, resulting in flooding within the city.
The Governor was apparently reacting to the recent prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMeT), that some states, including Akwa Ibom, would experience flooding as the rains
