The Ondo State Government has commenced the demolition of illegal buildings and structures erected on waterways and government setbacks in Akure, the state capital, as part of efforts to prevent flooding and building collapse disasters.
The exercise, carried out jointly by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Technical and Ecological Control, took place along Oyemekun Road, beside Access Bank.
Speaking with journalists during the operation, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Hon. Sunday Olajide, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Building Control Unit, TPL Abimbola Tofowomo, warned residents and developers against constructing buildings on unauthorized locations and government setbacks.
He said property owners who violate planning regulations risk losing their structures during enforcement exercises, stressing that the government would not compromise on compliance with building approval guidelines and urban planning laws.
According to him, the administration of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa remains committed to modern physical planning and urban renewal across major towns in the state.
“The government is determined to ensure orderly development and will continue to enforce planning regulations for the safety and benefit of residents,” he said.
Tofowomo noted that the Monitoring and Enforcement Department of the Building Control Unit has intensified surveillance and compliance activities across the state, adding that any violation of approved building plans or planning laws would attract sanctions, including penalties or outright demolition.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Technical and Ecological Control, Engr. Elisha Ebijimi, said the government would continue removing illegal structures and fences obstructing natural waterways after due notices had been served on affected property owners.
He explained that the exercise forms part of the ongoing channelisation and erosion control programme of the Aiyedatiwa administration aimed at mitigating flooding and environmental degradation.
Ebijimi disclosed that following the removal of the obstructions, the government would widen the affected waterways and construct concrete retaining walls to direct water flow along its natural course.
He expressed confidence that work at the Oyemekun location would be completed within two weeks, adding that similar enforcement and remediation exercises would be extended to other identified locations within Akure before moving to Ondo Town.
The state government reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and property through effective urban planning, environmental management and strict enforcement of development control regulations.ndszz as