The search for internally generated revenue by the Imo State Government may have caught up with owners of the World Bank Estate on the outskirts of Owerri metropolis, as the State authorities have directed the occupiers to pay over N1million as ground charges or risk their property demolished by December.
He declared that every building must have 20- 30 meters gap from the road, adding that many buildings at the World Bank axis/were not properly planned. He advised the owners of buildings in the area to change their roof and make them uniform.
He insisted that every building must have such structural specifications approved by the state government, in line with government’s intension to make the homes comfortable for the owners /residents.
The Chairman of the Area UD Neighbourhood Association, Uche Nwodu, and World Bank Area, Solomon Nwagwu, a lawyer, urged the governor to moderate the building charges to enable the occupiers and owners to pay for them.
In related development, no fewer than 109 markets, located in various parts of the state, would be demolished in the state. The Special Adviser to the governor on Market and New City Development, Echie Uche Best Mbanaso, disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Owerri.
He said the markets to be pulled down include, Ihitteuboma, World Bank in New Owerri, Nkworji, Owerri North, and Owere Nkworji, Nkwere, among others, He urged the affected traders to make use of the seven days quit notice to relocate.
He disclosed that all the 27 Local Councils in the state would have only central city market of national standard.
