5,075 Buildings Face Demolition For Six-Lane Road Along Second Niger Bridge Corridor

An estimated 5,075 buildings are at risk of demolition along the Second Niger Bridge corridor in Anambra State to pave the way for the construction of a six-lane road linking the area around Nkwele-Ezunaka in Oyi Local Government Area.

The Anambra State Commissioner for Works, Arc. Okey Ezeobi, disclosed this at the 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Anambra State chapter, held in Awka over the weekend.

Speaking on the theme, “From Vision to Legacy: Planning, Innovation and Inclusive Development for a Livable Environment,” Ezeobi attributed the situation to inadequate urban planning, lamenting that residents were now bearing the consequences of years of insufficient planning.

He stressed that proper planning was essential to sustainable development, noting that failure to anticipate future needs could lead to avoidable hardship for residents and limit opportunities for infrastructure expansion.

The commissioner said the state government was adopting a long-term development strategy to prevent future constraints, particularly as the population continued to grow.

According to him, Anambra is planning for a future in which it would have three airports by 2070. He explained that the government was developing a second airport while securing land for a third as part of its long-term infrastructure vision.

Ezeobi also raised concerns over environmental challenges, stating that erosion had claimed about 30 per cent of the state’s landmass.

He urged architects to embrace innovation and forward-looking planning to address population growth, environmental degradation and the increasing demand for infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Chiedozie Henry Arize, disclosed that the state government was pursuing a social housing programme targeted at public servants, particularly secondary school teachers and civil servants.

Arize said the first phase of the project, to be located in Ebenebe near Awka, would comprise 1,200 housing units, with the second and third phases expected to follow.

He explained that the housing scheme had undergone the necessary design processes and would feature buildings with three upper floors to maximise the limited available land in the state.

According to him, the Federal Mortgage Bank is funding the project, while Governor Chukwuma Soludo has provided the land required for its development.

Arize added that the houses would be subsidised to make them affordable for eligible public servants, stressing that measures had been put in place to ensure the scheme benefited its intended beneficiaries rather than businesspeople.

The housing commissioner also urged architects to develop entrepreneurial and business management skills alongside their professional expertise, noting that networking, visibility and digital portfolios were increasingly important in the profession.

Earlier, the National President of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, Arc. Sani Saulawa, congratulated the Anambra chapter and commended the state for producing distinguished professionals in the field.

He identified the poor understanding of the role of architects and the services they provide as a major challenge facing the profession in Nigeria.

Saulawa said the institute was working to sensitise the public about the role of architects in designing buildings and shaping the wider built environment.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the NIA Anambra State chapter, Arc. Ikenna Onuorah, said the meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on the kind of communities, public spaces and development opportunities being created for future generations.

He called on governments to establish clear and consistently enforced planning regulations, invest in infrastructure, protect public land and the environment, and ensure that development decisions were transparent and inclusive.

Onuorah also urged architects to incorporate climate awareness, affordability, cultural considerations and evidence-based approaches into their designs.

The event featured the presentation of awards to outstanding members of the institute, including Saulawa, Onuorah, Ezeobi, Arize, the institute’s General Secretary, Arc. Ninah Briggs, and the Permanent Secretary in the Anambra State Ministry of Works, Arc. Obi Okonkwo, among others.