The Abia State Government, through the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), has begun demolishing buildings erected without approval in the former Umuahia market, popularly called Ogwumabiri.
UCDA General Manager, Kingsley Agomoh, said on Monday that the demolition is part of the state’s plan to transform Umuahia into a modern, world-class capital. He explained that the land was allocated by the previous administration to a private investor for the construction of an event centre under a Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) arrangement.
According to Agomoh, the investor deviated from the approved plan by developing residential duplexes and apartments on the site. He added that the government had engaged the investor for over a year and offered an ex-gratia settlement before reclaiming the land for a modern transportation hub.
The proposed hub will integrate a bus terminal, train station, and intercity shuttle services, aiming to boost infrastructure, enhance mobility, and stimulate economic growth in the state capital.
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