The Imo State Government has launched a statewide campaign to reclaim public land from unauthorized occupiers, beginning the demolition of illegally erected structures on government-reserved spaces.
Nze Chinasa Nwaneri, Special Adviser to the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance, disclosed that investigations unearthed a troubling trend: individuals occupying public verges with forged or outdated allocation documents, particularly in areas like Aladinma Garden Estate.
According to Nwaneri, several of these occupants claim rights to land using documents that have no legal foundation. He clarified that the concerned lands including verges and buffer zones are strictly reserved for public infrastructure like drainage and road expansion,and are not to be converted for personal or commercial purposes by any agency, including the Imo State Housing Corporation.
He further emphasized that these illegal encroachments obstruct natural water channels, increase the risk of flooding, and undermine the lifespan of newly rehabilitated roads.
“The government will no longer tolerate these distortions of urban planning,” Nwaneri said. “Any structure built on public verges will be removed without warning.”
He cautioned the public against dealing with unauthorized agents claiming to sell or allocate government land, urging residents to report any suspicious activity around reserved areas to the appropriate authorities.
All occupants have been instructed to vacate immediately or face eviction and possible legal consequences.
“Government reserves are not business spaces,” he reiterated. “They are vital to the city’s drainage, safety, and development. Anyone obstructing these spaces is obstructing progress.”
The government pledged to uphold urban order and protect public infrastructure from abuse, warning that it will not hesitate to act swiftly and decisively in defense of the state’s long-term interests.
