Anambra Explains Partial Demolition Of Innoson Showroom

The Government of Anambra State has offered a detailed explanation following the controversy surrounding the partial demolition of the Innoson Motors showroom in Nnewi.

According to the state, the action was carried out strictly in line with due process, following months of stakeholder engagement and official notification.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, the government clarified that the property in question—listed as belonging to one Mrs. Eucharia Alaru and marked as ASML/AOA/NW/L/066—was among several structures slated for removal due to encroachment on the federally designated right-of-way along the Nnewi-Ozubulu-Onitsha highway.

The government emphasized that all affected property owners, including Dr. Innocent Chukwuma of Innoson Motors, were duly notified and engaged during a stakeholders’ meeting held on November 1, 2024. The meeting, convened by the Commissioner for Works, was followed by public notices and the physical marking of affected structures.

The government stated that the Federal Highway Act of 1971 clearly defines the right-of-way as 45.72 metres from the centre line of any federal highway and stressed that the demolition was a legal measure aimed at preserving lives and ensuring free vehicular movement.

“Dr. Innocent Chukwuma knows that he was given notice several months ago and he spoke to several people about it more than three months ago, including a call to the Governor,” the statement revealed. “Unfortunately, while we appreciate the high position of Innoson in the society, we cannot have a different set of rules for Innoson and another one for others.”

The state also noted that the removal of Innoson’s showroom occurred more than four months after notifications were issued, including correspondence through the President General of Nnewi town union. It added that numerous other properties, including those belonging to prominent figures such as the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and his wife, Iyom Bianca Ojukwu, had also been affected by the same development efforts.

The administration of Governor Charles Soludo reaffirmed its commitment to promoting indigenous businesses. “It is on record that he is the first and still the only state governor to make Innoson Vehicle Motor (IVM) his official fleet despite major deficiencies and risks associated with the vehicles,” the government stated.

Responding to criticism on social media and elsewhere, the government condemned what it described as “deliberate misinformation peddled by paid content creators to discredit the good works of the state government.”

“Those paid to spread falsehood deliberately refused to also report that churches and hundreds of other buildings were also removed as part of the ongoing development drive,” the government added.

The state government called on the public to understand that all structures located within 45.72 metres of the highway are illegal and should be voluntarily removed by their owners to avoid enforcement actions.

“Making Anambra livable and prosperous requires a state governed by law and order for everyone and not one where exceptions are made for the powerful,” the government concluded. “Anambra is on the rise because Solution is here and will continue!”
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