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In response to mounting concerns raised on social media about environmental, hygiene, and urban disorder issues at the slaughterhouse along Awe Street in Makurdi, the Benue State Government has moved decisively to restore order and improve the area.
Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia directed the Benue State Urban Development Board (BSUDB) to intervene immediately. Heads of departments from the board conducted an on-the-spot evaluation visit to the site to assess the situation and plan necessary actions.
An official statement confirmed that all required heavy-duty machines and equipment are being mobilized, with actual demolition and clearance work scheduled to begin tomorrow, January 19, 2026. Residents, traders, and business operators in the vicinity have been strongly advised to voluntarily remove any illegal structures and encroachments ahead of the exercise. Failure to comply, officials warned, will result in enforced clearance by state authorities.
The intervention is part of a broader effort to address long-standing complaints about the slaughterhouse area, which has reportedly suffered from haphazard development, blocked drainage, poor sanitation, and unregulated building that has compromised both public health and aesthetic standards in the state capital.
In a positive development for the future of the location, government officials hinted that once the site is properly cleared, the reclaimed space could be repurposed for modern commercial developments. Among the possibilities being considered is the construction of a shopping mall, which would represent a significant step in the urban renewal of Awe Street and surrounding neighborhoods.
The prompt response from the Benue State Government has drawn commendations from some quarters, with praise directed at Governor Alia, the BSUDB leadership, the State Police Command, and other relevant agencies for their quick action in addressing a matter that had gained considerable traction online.
As the clearance operation gets underway, attention will now focus on ensuring the exercise is carried out in an orderly manner while minimizing disruption to legitimate businesses and residents in the area. The development is also being watched closely as an indicator of the administration’s commitment to tackling urban blight, enforcing planning regulations, and delivering visible improvements in Makurdi’s built environment.
