Anambra, NIA partner on Awka model city

ANAMBRA State, partnering the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) through its Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), is set to bring its capital, Awka, at par with modern cities across the world in terms of layout and infrastructure.

To this end, stakeholders converged over the weekend to brainstorm on its modalities, with the theme, “Developing an Effective Urban Master Plan for Awka Capital Territory,” organised by NIA and ACTDA for the 2015 NIA state chapter annual conference.

To achieve this, “ACTDA was mandated to accelerate infrastructure development of the Awka Capital Territory, prepare a master plan and implement it, provide infrastructure services and coordinate all building developments of the private sector and government agencies within the territory.”

According to him, the territory consists of six local councils – Anaocha, Awka North, Awka South, Dunukofia, Njikoka and Orumba North, in part or in whole. He added that the model city concept for Awka considered and adopted most efficient, productive, lucrative and affordable design principles before settling for three capital cities of Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Seoul (South Korea) and Kigali (Rwanda).

He said the ACTDA has completed the aerial photography using a mapping that produces higher digital terrain model height accuracy for urban planning and engineering designs, and aerial photogrammetric method of surveying that involves measurement and interpretation of features directly from aerial photography.

State NIA Chairman, Peter Okpala, noted that the conference theme was “informed by our decision to partner the current administration of Governor Obiano, who has shown good desire to lay a solid foundation for orderly infrastructure development.”

Okpala noted: “Everyone will agree that since the creation of Anambra in August 1991, not much has been done to change the capital from its rural nature to its current status. Instead, the reckless subdivision and sale of lands by individuals and government agencies tends to tilt the town towards urban slums.

“Members of the NIA Anambra State, desirous of improving our environment, saw the setting up of ACTDA as a wonderful opportunity to create a world-class city in our state and also a platform to achieve our long desire to create a decent environment for our people.”

Kidnappers’ den demolished
Meanwhile, the Anambra Police Command at the weekend demolished two more buildings at Umueri, Anambra East local council, found to be kidnappers’ den.

Leading the operations, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Joseph Agugoesi, said the action was prompted by the ugly activities of the suspects, including Solomon Chibuzo Morah, alias Mmili.

Governor Willie Obiano, represented at the event by the ACTDA Vice Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Michael Okonkwo, said he believes in professional organisations driving infrastructure development. He noted that since the 10-man ACTDA Board was inaugurated in May 2014, the team has kept pace with the mandate to transform Awka as Dubai is.

According to Agugoesi, the action was not to punish the innocent hence the second building owned by Hyacinth Chibuodu, another kidnap kingpin from the same town, was spared for the day to allow tenants and other commercial occupants move out their belongings.

However, another mansion belonging to another suspected chieftain of the gang, Matthew Nwankwo from Nteje in Oyi local council, who is still at large, was completely destroyed.

The police chief described Morah as “one of the most notorious kidnap kingpins in the state, who had been on the police wanted list for many years,” adding: “He is now in police custody.”