Petty traders lament as Anambra govt displaces over 100 businesses in Awka.

The displacement was orchestrated by the clampdown embarked upon by the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), which worked under the protection of operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).

Affected businesses were those operating in kiosks, containers and makeshift shops built on the setbacks between buildings and the road. They did not in any way cover or extend beyond the drainages.

Some residents who spoke to our reporter on Monday said that the rampaging ACTDA officials destroyed these shops and the goods inside them and did not allow the shop owners to remove their items.

They said beyond displacing the small businesses from their places of trading, the Anambra government officials also ruined their trading capital which was in the form of goods in their kiosks and containers.

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Mr Ossy Onuko, the Managing Director of ACTDA, whose agency carried out the destruction, did not take his calls or respond to text messages.

However, Mr Paul Nwosu, Commissioner for Information in Anambra, said the action was in line with the urban renewal policy of the state government aimed at evolving a healthy and green environment.

Nwosu said it was not true that traders were given only 24 hours before the caterpillar was moved in.

“They were given prior statutory notice. It’s not true that it was 24 hours’ notice. Victims will always lament to whip up sentiment,” he said