By Mariam Adams.
The Kogi State Government has demolished illegal shanties and structures harboring criminals and hoodlums around the Ganaja flyover bridge in lokoja, the state capital
The Commissioner for Environment and Ecological Management, Engr Joseph Oluwasegun, who led the team alongside state officials on Thursday, explained that the demolition exercise signifies the government’s commitment towards environmental regeneration in the state
While speaking to newsmen during the enforcement exercise,he said indiscriminate springing up of shanties and illegal structures serve as hideout for criminals and hoodlums stressing that,the administration of his Excellency Alhaji Usman Ododo has given priority to safeguarding lives and properties in the state hence the need for the demolition
The Commissioner maintained that the unauthorized settlements not only poses significant security threat to the area but also littered and defaced public spaces
He,however,mentioned that before the commencement of the enforcement exercise the ministry had earlier issued several warnings to the illegal occupants of the structures and shanties
“We have been on three different occasions warning the illegal occupants to remove the structures and vacate the area but they refused”
“The erected structures are illegal harboring hoodlums and criminals hence the need to take this decisive action by the state government.
“They are a threat to the peace and security of lokoja metropolis its environment and the state at large.
“It is a new dawn in the state, scavengers and hoodlums will no longer be tolerated in lokoja metropolis and its environs. We will demolish them anywhere will find them,”he said.
Also speaking during the demolition exercise, AG General Manager, Kogi State Town Planning and Development Board, Abdullahi Yusuf said despite receiving notification on multiple occasions, the illegal occupants of the shanties refused to vacate the area.
While stressing on the strategic location of the illegal erected structures, he emphasized the need for the immediate removal.
He commended the Commissioner’s proactiveness towards the enforcement exercise warning other defaulters the action will be continuous and acts of illegality in the state will not be condoned.
Yusuf added that, “, the green belt in lokoja had also been occupied illegally and that government we would go after them to remove them and pull down the illegal structures”
In the same vein, the Commissioner and his team also evicted all illegal squatters and traders under the Ganaja flyover bridge in lokoja
He indicated that all illegal activities under the bridge would no longer be tolerated,stressing that defaulters would be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
Banners and stitches indicating prohibited activities which include ‘No trading, No staying, No resting, No packing of any vehicle and No dumping of refuse” were placed at strategic areas under the flyover bridge.
In the Commissioner’s team were; the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Jibrin saidu, AG General Manager Sanitation, Mr Femi Ajayi,Director Sanitation, Pastor Falodun Vincent among others.
Edited by Dawud Ahmed.
