The bold and courageous move by the Chairman of Umuahia North Local Government Area, H\Chief Victor Ikeji to demolish shanties and illegal settlements within the city center to ensure proper infrastructural upliftment and reinvigorate the major metropolis by aligning its developmental trajectory with other state capitals
Mayor Ikeji's entry into the administrative landscape of Umuahia North brought forth a renewed sense of optimism and transformation, armed with a resolute determination to instill change and decency, as a first assignment, he embarked on the remodeling of the administrative building turning it into a masterpiece and a beauty to behold.

Over the years the once serene and beautiful environment Umuahia is known for has been destroyed and all attempts made to sanitize the capital city and give it the ambiance it deserves haven't yielded impressive outcomes.

The city center especially the Isigate axis has become host to all manner of criminal activities, like snatching of phones and handbags, armed robbery, hawking of illegal drugs, and even rape during the dark hours.

There has been a cluster of unapproved shanties behind the popular Okigwe Park and the former Mgbuka area while the valley behind the bypass known as Down Below has become a den and a safe coven for notorious criminals.

Investigation has shown that most of the criminal activities in Umuahia and environ have been planned and executed from there, the place has become a den of criminals and very notorious for gun-running and a distribution point for all manner of hard and illicit drugs being sold in Umuahia and environs.

Mayor Ikeji's move to demolish those dreaded areas of the town will return security and sanity to the capital city, as a courageous leader who understands his charge and is ready to take on his responsibilities inline with his oath of office, as the council chairman he understands that he is charged with the responsibility of protecting and managing the Capital Territory’s environment, and also the enforcement of all environmental legislation, and the abatement of all forms of environmental degradation and nuisance.
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it's an established fact that the general image and impression of the state for a first-time visitor lies on the looks of the major metropolis (Umuahia) and It has become necessary to remove the shanties. as a proactive leader, Mayor Ikeji's commitment to sanitizing the city and making the environment healthy, beautiful, and secure should be encouraged and supported by all.

The effort to sanitize Umuahia should not stop at just bringing down shanties, there should be plans to build a central hub for intracity transporters and also build a park and pay center to avoid indiscriminate parking of cars along the streets as that will ease the incessant traffic usually experienced between cooperative to Uzuakoli road and the adjoining streets along that corridor.

Bus stops should be created with modern bus stop shelters at designated landmarks with commercial vehicle operators encouraged to use the designated bus stops for pickups and passenger disembarkments or face sanctions.

Trading around Isigate should be seriously frowned at and discouraged using every available strategy not excluding force, over time trading at Isigate has constituted an eyesore for people coming into the city and it leaves a very poor impression of the state.

Umuahia should be given priority attention and this move should not end with just the news and photo sessions, there should be intentional efforts and investment by both Umuahia North LGA administration and the state government to give the capital city a deserving ambiance.

Mayor Ikeji should ensure that before embarking on the demolition exercise that provisions will be made to resettle owners of legitimate businesses who operate within the marked environment whose businesses will be affected to avoid escalation of crimes and criminal activities, government should also make immediate efforts to develop those areas because if left undeveloped, the shanties will return, creating the impression of an unserious government.

It's very impressive to note that within the first one hundred days in office of the Chairman of Umuahia North Local Government Area, Mayor Ikeji has exhibited integrity, self-awareness, courage, commitment, dedication, vision, and resilience and I have no doubt his vision will spark a renewed transformation of the capital city while aligning with the aspirations of a community yearning for 21st century developmental touch.

Aguoru
A Public Affairs Analyst Writes From Umuahia

Stop overhyping nonsense. I was expecting to see pictures of the shanties already getting destroyed and not him strolling in the shanties with police officers.