The Akwa Ibom State Government, through its agent, the Uyo Capital City Development Authority (UCCDA), has demolished all illegal structures built along its right way on Ibom International Airport Road in Uruan Local Government Area of the state, one of the council areas hosting the airport facilities.

The demolition exercise was led by the authority’s Secretary/Head of administration, Mr. Ikpe Effiong, and the Director of town planning, Mr. Effiong Akpan.

It affected Gekson Filling Station, situated on the Airport junction and another filling station on the airport road, as well as residential buildings, both completed and uncompleted ones.

Also pulled down were perimeter fences and billboards, which approval for construction and citing were not allegedly received by developers from the UCCDA. Some other structures were not spared due to the fact that “they had not met the required standard building specification of 60 metres away from the main road,” as were those which did not meet the specification and therefore were not approved for development.

Before effecting any demolition, officials of the UCCDA were careful and made sure that they measured 60 metres with their tape, from the main road to the affected structures.

The owner of Gekson Filling Station, Mr. Ekere Udoh, stated that he received an approval from Uruan Area Planning Authority; but the UCCDA insisted that the structure was developed without meeting the required standard building specification of 60 metres away from the main road “which therefore makes it an illegal structure.”

News Express gathered that though some of the affected structures were marked for demolition between 2013 and 2014, the developers were adamant as they ignored the notices and still went on to develop them

•Photo shows Gov Emmanuel.