Flooding: Over 1000 structures in Oyo identified for demolition

Over 1,000 illegal structures in Oyo state have been identified for demolition by the state government.

The said structures, identified in an enumeration exercise coordinated by the state bureau of physical planning and urban development, were found to be blocking waterways and on floodplains.

Chief of Staff to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who disclosed this, said the demolition of some identified structures was to reduce the state’s vulnerability to flooding.

Speaking as Chairman at the monthly seminar series of the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Ibadan, Ojo said the illegal structures had to give way in the next couple of weeks to avert flooding as recorded in the state on August 26, 2011 and the recent June 20, 2017 experience.

Ojo, corroborated by state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun, said the demolition of identified structures was in line urban renewal plans of the state government.

Ojo did note further that the government committee set up for the exercise would compensate owners of structures qualified accordingly.

“Over a thousand of structures are on waterways across the state. Government will remove those illegal structures and those qualified for compensation will be compensated.  But I can state categorically here that mass demolition is coming. Our people need to be enlightened.”

“In the same vein, road expansion is also coming across the state.  The government will however continue to step of its sensitization and mobilization of the public on the adverse effects of flooding with a view to checkmating the ugly trend.”

Speaking further on urban development plans, he decried haphazard layout of houses, disorganized market places and failure of residents and some civil servants alike to abide by environmental regulations.

Ojo said that the state government was more determined than ever before to enforce environmental laws through the engagement of environmental enforcement officials.

He further advised residents of the state to desist from indiscriminate waste disposal.