In a bid to rid Ogun State of illegal structure, traditional heads have been warned to desist from using their positions to illegally allocate setbacks and open spaces to people in their domains to traders for commercial gains.
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment, Alhaji Farook Akintunde, gave the warning when he led the state Taskforce on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement to Akute in Ifo Local Government Area, to remove shanties and makeshift structures in the area.
Alhaji Akintunde stated that the exercise became necessary following a petition sent to the state government by the Anigilage Community Association and the management of Zumuratul Primary School on illegal allocation of spaces at Akute underbridge and around the school by the traditional ruler in the area.
The Governor’s side noted that unauthorised trading activities had exposed residents of the community, particularly students to avoidable danger.
“Aside from the environmental nuisances which they create, no government will fold its hands and watch a traditional ruler illegally allocate setbacks and open spaces to traders for selfish gains, instead of him to direct them to government designated markets.
“That the wall of the fence of Zumuratul Primary School was even allocated, despite knowing that serene atmosphere is needed for learning is not only bad, but constituted an affront to state government’s policies of effective learning environment.
“So the state government had no other choice than to restore the environmental and learning dignity of the area by demolishing all the shanties and makeshift structures”, he said.
He advised the displaced traders to find genuine space in the authorised markets, saying the state Environmental Marshals had been detailed to apprehend anyone relocating to the area.
Speaking, the Chairman, Ifo Local Government, Mrs. Kikelomo Delano, appreciating the state government for heeding the call of the Community Development Association, pledging that the local government council would enforce the ‘No Trading’ order in the demolished areas.
