The Abia State Government has demolished shops and shanties located along the right side 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 before the exercise.

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 undertaken based on a design plan and a Memorandum of Understanding between the Abia State Government and the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC).

The state government said the new road is intended to ease traffic movement within Umuahia while also improving the appearance of the capital city.

Structures affected by the exercise included shops used by electronics dealers, dry-cleaning businesses close to Government House and other shops and shanties occupied by residents within the Railway Quarters.

The UCDA defended the demolition, maintaining that the occupants had been informed ahead of the exercise and given time to vacate the affected locations.

A visit to the Railway Quarters and Akanu Ibiam Road on Thursday showed that the demolition exercise had been completed.

Some of the affected occupants acknowledged receiving notices from the state government to leave the area. However, they said they were unable to secure alternative accommodation for their homes and businesses before the deadline given to them.