The Abia State Government has demolished shops and shanties located along the right flank of the Nigerian Railways Quarters in Umuahia as part of preparations for an ongoing road construction project.

The demolition was carried out by the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), which said the affected occupants were given adequate notice to vacate the area before the exercise commenced.

The road project is designed to run from the First Bank junction through Market Road and the Railway Quarters before connecting to Akanu Ibiam Road in the Abia State capital.

The project is being implemented under an agreement between the Abia State Government and the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), based on an approved design and Memorandum of Understanding between both parties.

According to the state government, the road is intended to improve traffic flow within Umuahia and also contribute to the restoration of the city’s aesthetic appearance.

The structures affected by the exercise included shops occupied by electronics dealers and dry cleaners around the Government House area, as well as various shops and shanties within the Railway Quarters.

When DAILY POST visited the Railway Quarters and Akanu Ibiam Road on Thursday, the demolition exercise had already been completed by the UCDA.

Some of the affected occupants acknowledged that they had received notices from the state government instructing them to leave the area. However, they said they were unable to secure alternative homes and business premises before the deadline given to them.