IMO GOVERNMENT MOVES TO SANITISE OWERRI, BANS STREET TRADING AND ILLEGAL STRUCTURES
By Emeka Amaefula
The Imo State Government has reaffirmed its determination to restore environmental order, public safety, and urban discipline across Owerri Metropolis with the commencement of a comprehensive enforcement exercise targeting street trading, illegal shanties, unauthorized roadside structures, and all forms of environmental defacement.
In a public notice issued by the Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA), the government stated that it “has commenced a comprehensive enforcement exercise aimed at restoring order, ensuring public safety, protecting the environment, and preserving the beauty and dignity of Owerri, the State Capital.”
The initiative follows growing concerns over the increasing occupation of roads, sidewalks, drainage channels, road medians, and other public spaces by illegal traders and makeshift structures. Authorities noted with serious concern that “the indiscriminate erection of illegal shanties, unauthorized roadside structures, and the increasing rate of street trading along major roads, medians, sidewalks, drainage channels, and public spaces have continued to obstruct the free flow of traffic, endanger lives, create environmental hazards, and deface the city.”
Government explained that the exercise is in line with existing urban planning, environmental sanitation, and public safety laws of Imo State. It directed that all persons engaged in street trading on roads, highways, intersections, road medians, and sidewalks; construction or occupation of illegal shanties, kiosks, makeshift shops, and unauthorized structures on government land or public rights-of-way; displaying goods in locations that obstruct vehicular or pedestrian movement; and any activity that contributes to the defacement or degradation of the physical environment within Owerri Metropolis “are hereby directed to cease immediately.”
Owners and occupiers of all illegal structures were advised to remove them immediately, while “those engaged in street trading are directed to relocate to approved markets and designated trading areas provided by the appropriate authorities.”
The government made it clear that “this directive is final.” After the expiration of the notice period, “enforcement teams will commence the removal of all illegal structures and the arrest of persons found violating this directive.”
Any individual or group found engaging in street trading, erecting or occupying illegal shanties, or otherwise violating the directive “shall face the full wrath of the law, including but not limited to arrest, prosecution, fines, confiscation of goods, demolition of illegal structures, and any other penalties prescribed under the laws of Imo State.”
The administration reiterated that the ongoing exercise is not intended to punish citizens but to promote a cleaner, safer, and more organized capital city capable of meeting modern urban development standards. It called on residents, traders, and business owners to “comply fully with this directive in their own interest and cooperate with relevant government agencies during the enforcement exercise.”
The Imo State Government maintained that it “remains committed to building a clean, safe, orderly, and globally competitive capital city that reflects the aspirations of its people,” stressing that “a clean and orderly Owerri is everyone’s responsibility.”
—– Emeka Amaefula —-+234(0)8111813069—
