Abia Government Demolishes Unauthorized Residential Structures at Former Umuahia Main Market
The Abia State Government has demolished several residential buildings located at the site of the former Umuahia main market, citing that the structures were erected without official government approval.
The demolition was executed by the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA) as part of the state’s ongoing efforts to transform Umuahia into a modern, well-planned capital city.
In a statement released on Monday, the General Manager of UCDA, Mr. Kingsley Agomoh, explained that the land where the former market once stood was allocated by a previous administration to a private investor under a Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) agreement, specifically for the construction of an event centre.
However, Mr. Agomoh revealed that the investor deviated from the intended purpose by unilaterally developing residential duplexes and apartments on the site, in direct violation of government plans.
He added that the Abia State Government has been in discussions with the investor for over a year, during which it proposed an amicable ex-gratia settlement. The plan involves reclaiming the space to construct a modern transportation hub that will integrate a bus terminal, train station, and intercity shuttle services.
A site visit on Monday morning showed piles of debris from the demolished structures, while residents gathered nearby, quietly discussing the development.
The state government emphasized that the demolition is a necessary step toward ensuring orderly urban development and creating infrastructure befitting Umuahia’s status as the state capital.
