Anambra State Government Demolishes Illegal Structures Under High Tension Cables at Mgbuka Obosi Market to Enforce Safety and Environmental Regulations

The Anambra State Government is sending a clear message: unsafe and unlawful structures under high-tension power lines will no longer be tolerated.

In a recent exercise at Mgbuka Obosi Market in Idemili North Local Government Area, the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA) Brigade took decisive action, demolishing numerous shanties and makeshift shops built directly beneath electricity infrastructure.

The Purpose Behind the Enforcement

The operation wasn’t arbitrary. According to Celestine Anere, Managing Director of the OCHA Brigade, the exercise is part of the agency’s responsibility to protect lives and safeguard public infrastructure.

“Buildings and businesses under high-tension cables present serious risks not just to occupants but to everyone nearby,” he explained.

The crackdown is aimed at discouraging residents, traders, and developers from repeating such dangerous practices.

Officials emphasised that the enforcement is not personal.

“This is about public safety and maintaining order,” Anere said.

“Anyone defying government directives by trading or building in prohibited zones will face the full weight of the law.”

Offenders will be taken to court and required to cover the costs of any demolition work carried out on their illegal structures.

Past Warnings Were Ignored

Anambra State has repeatedly warned residents and traders against building or operating under restricted zones, especially beneath high-tension lines.

The government’s stance is clear: compliance is mandatory, and continued defiance could lead to significant fines.

In January, Dr. Law Mefor, Commissioner for Information, confirmed that the government had begun rigorous enforcement of environmental laws across the state.

Offenders face fines ranging from ₦20,000 to ₦5 million, depending on whether the violator is an individual or a corporate entity.

Safety and Order Are the Priority

The OCHA Brigade stressed that the demolition exercise is ultimately in the community’s interest.

By clearing unsafe structures, the government aims to reduce preventable accidents, fire hazards, and electrical incidents.

High-tension cables pose not just legal concerns but life-threatening risks, and public compliance is essential.

Residents were urged to view the enforcement as a protective measure rather than a punitive one.

Anere highlighted that obeying the law safeguards individuals, businesses, and the wider community.

Wider Implications for the State

This action at Mgbuka Obosi Market is part of a broader push to enforce environmental and safety regulations statewide.

Authorities hope that visible enforcement will serve as a warning to other markets, property developers, and residents who continue to flout safety laws.

With these measures, Anambra State is signalling a shift toward stricter governance, prioritising public safety, urban order, and sustainable development.

Illegal encroachments in dangerous zones will no longer be ignored, and the government is prepared to act decisively wherever necessary.

What’s Next

OCHA plans to continue enforcement across other high-risk areas, monitoring compliance closely.

Traders and developers are advised to seek legal guidance and relocate structures if they currently operate under restricted zones.

Authorities also intend to carry out regular awareness campaigns to educate the public about the dangers of illegal constructions near high-tension cables.

Summary

Anambra State’s OCHA Brigade has demolished illegal structures under high-tension cables in Mgbuka Obosi Market, warning residents and traders against flouting safety regulations.

Offenders may face court charges and fines up to ₦5 million.

The government stresses that the enforcement protects lives, reduces disaster risk, and ensures public order, marking a decisive step toward safer, cleaner communities across the state.