25/06/2026
The Anambra State Government has intensified efforts to reclaim public land, restore the state’s original master plan and enforce physical planning regulations.
This is evident in the commencement of the third phase of the operation to restore the masterplan, as the state reaffirms its commitment to eliminating shanties and unauthorised structures across the state.
The operation tagged, ‘Show your building permit’, is being carried out by the state ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, targeting major commercial hubs and communities across the state.
The government said such is aimed at restoring order, enhancing environmental sustainability, and promoting planned urban growth.
Leading the exercise which began at Ogbunike in the Oyi Local Government Area of the state during the weekend, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Chijioke Ojukwu, said the enforcement drive reflects the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s commitment to building orderly, liveable and economically vibrant cities through strict compliance with approved development standards.
second phase of the enforcement exercise had already been carried out in Nnewi, where Ojukwu emphasised that the ongoing exercise was part of the government’s broader urban regeneration agenda.
Some properties were marked for demolition with the issuance of demolition notices by officials of the ministry, who gave affected owners a 14-day deadline to remove the structures violating physical planning regulations, including the required nine-metre setback from road corridors.
At the Plywood Market in Ogbunike, the commissioner supervised actions to reclaim government land allegedly encroached upon by developers, warning that public property would no longer be converted for private use in violation of extant laws.
He disclosed that “Operation show your physical planning permit, seeks to enforce compliance with approved planning regulations and reclaim encroached public spaces.
”These illegal developments have contributed significantly to flooding, traffic congestion, insecurity, and environmental degradation in major urban centres across the state”.
The enforcement team also visited the Building Materials Market, Ogidi, where an illegal structure under construction had already collapsed on a major drainage channel.
Ojukwu halted further work on the site, stressing that developments on drainage alignments posed serious environmental and public safety risks.
Admin Nibo