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Tag: Illegal structures

  • Okowa orders demolition of illegal structures

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has ordered the demolition of privately-owned homes sited within the perimeter fencing of Asaba Airport.

    He spoke while inspecting resurfacing of the runway and other ancillary work, to ensure the contractors delivered as promised in May.

    Okowa said owners of such buildings with relevant documents would be compensated, adding that the focus is to ensure safety at the airport.

    He said: “We need to determine the perimeter of the airport to know where our land ends.

    “We need to look at the buildings close to the airport if they have approvals and if they have no approvals, the buildings will be demolished.

    “I have asked the commissioner for Lands and Survey to take inventories for us to take action.

    “If the owners of the buildings have documents, they will be compensated because, what is foremost in our mind is safety.”

    The governor hailed the  work done at the airport, saying the contractor was working to beat the five-week deadline.

    “The contractor is right on course. He will deliver before the deadline.

    “We are concentrating on the runway, which must be of international standard. We are confident that we will get one of the best in the country.

    “I’m happy with the pace of work,” he said.

    The Project Manager, Setraco Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Jihad Yaghi, thanked the governor for encouraging the company to speed up delivery of the project.

    He noted that everybody is ensuring that the job is completed on schedule and according to specification.

    The Airport Special Project Director, Mr. Austin Ayemidejor, who took the governor and his team round the site, said the contractor would deliver the project before the deadline and to specification.

  • AEPB to residents: don’t deface Abuja with illegal structures

    AEPB to residents: don’t deface Abuja with illegal structures

    The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) yesterday warned Abuja residents to desist from defacing the city with illegal structures or risk the demolition of such structures.

    Alhaji Baba Lawan, the Director of AEPB, who gave the warning in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said Abuja was a model city, whose original design ought to be preserved at all costs.

    He said that the erection of illegal structures in Abuja had negated the master plan for the nation’s capital, thereby defacing the city and distorting its development patterns.

    The director expressed concern over the growing number of illegal structures such as gardens, building block industries and carwashes by the roadside across the city.

    According to him, these structures are erected whereas there was no provision for them in the original plan of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    “Abuja is a model city and you cannot just come in there and settle anyhow.

    “You see carwashes, block industries, illegal gardens along all the roads and expressways; these structures have distorted the original design of Abuja.

    “The detergent coming out from these carwashes is polluting the environment and there is no provision for carwashes by road shoulders.

    “These are expressway shoulders and the activities of carwashes are fast becoming a nuisance to the entire environment,’’ he said.

    Lawan encouraged residents living around such illegal structures to report them to the appropriate authorities for swift action and sanctions against the offenders.

  • FCT takes on illegal structures

    FCT takes on illegal structures

    To ease traffic on the Abuja-Nyanya-Jikwoyi-Karshi Road, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) starts removing roadside illegal structures, reports GBENGA OMOKHUNU

    It is a familiar story but there is also something quite different about it. Bulldozers tearing down structures in the capital city and its environs was a familiar sight, which often triggered a backlash. But as the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) moves to pull down structures it termed illegal on the Abuja-Nyanya-Jikwoyi-Karshi Road, there is applause rather than cursing, boos or litigation.

    Why? The road is notorious for its choking traffic jams. That was why the administration prioritised its expansion to ease traffic. But even when expanded, the traffic snarls may endure if illegal structures are not removed.

    The grace period given for owners of those unwanted structures to removed them has lapsed, and the government has started removing the structures along the road.

    Chairman of the task force, Major General Emmanuel Nienge (rtd), while addressing journalists during the clean-up operation, explained that the aim of the exercise was to “achieve seamless human and vehicular movement along the road as well as ensure safety of lives and property, which could be lost due to any accident on the road.”

    Nienge, while appreciating cooperation of all stakeholders in the task, warned that the long period of grace was over, affirming that “now is the time for action, to remove all those structures causing holdup and making life difficult for commuters on this route.”

    Nienge said: “We are here today to remove all the illegal structures, especially those extensions that reach to the road.

    “We have given the traders enough time. Most of them have complied and removed the structures, as you can see, but you can also see that some have not done that, so we will help them to remove them. We will not touch any legal structure.

    “And while we still urge them to quickly remove them by themselves so that they don’t get destroyed in the cause of our bulldozers doing it for them; we still reserve a very short window for those who assure us they will carry out self-removal. He continued “but it is obvious that the few who are yet to remove them are seemingly unwilling to do so and we will help them remove the structures.

    The retired general who also disclosed that the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello has given the taskforce “additional three months”, added that his team would sustain patrol of the area after demolishing the illegal structures so that such structures do not spring up again.

    Many residents who trooped out to witness the exercise commended the FCT Administration and the FCT Minister for the clean-up and completion of projects in the city centre and urged them to do more.

    One of the residents, Mr. Tunde Ola, who spoke with The Nation, described the removal exercise as a “welcome development”, saying that the exercise was good for the residents in the area.

    Ola said, “I appreciate the FCT Administration under Muhammad Bello for the good work his task force is doing here in our area, and I also commend him for completing some abandoned projects. He has opened the road by the National Stadium road, another –the extension towards Aso Drive will soon be opened too, and many others.”

    The FCT Minister inaugurated the Task Force on Traffic Decongestion and Environmental Sanitation along the Nyanya-Karshi Road axis on April 25.

  • Ondo demolishes illegal structures at Owo

    Ondo demolishes illegal structures at Owo

    The Ondo State government yesterday said it demolished illegal structures at the Government Reserved Area (GRA) in Owo Local Government Area.

    Commissioner of Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Solagbade Amodeni, spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Akure, the state capital.

    Amodeni said the structures contravened the Urban and Regional Planning Decree 88 of 1992 and Section 9 and 17(7) of the Ondo State Building and Subdivision Regulations, 1984.

    He said: “The Control and Enforcement Unit of the Ondo State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development carried out the demolition.

    “The structures were demolished because they blocked access roads in the GRA and did not follow approved plans.

    “The state government will continue to monitor building plans and demolish illegal structures.”

    The commissioner said GRAs were among some cherished schemes of government, adding that government will not allow the GRA to be disfigured.

    He said the demolition would deter people from erecting unapproved structures.

    According to him, town planners carried out the demolition in compliance with their rules and regulations.

    Amodeni urged prospective property owners to ensure that their building plans got approval.

    He said: “For the fact that you own the land does not give you total freedom to build anyhow on it. The GRA is a model in the state where law of planning and building is strictly followed.

    “We will continue with monitoring building plans and demolition of illegal structures in the state.”

     

  • 1,000 houses, illegal structures marked for demolition in Oyo

    The Oyo State government has said it will begin a mass demolition of over 1,000 illegal structures blocking waterways and causing flood across the state.

    Chief of Staff to the Governor Dr. Gbade Ojo spoke yesterday at the monthly seminar of the Nigeria Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER) in Ibadan, the state capital.

    The NISER project report, with the theme: Socio-Economic Implications of Urban Renewal Programmes in Southwest Nigeria: The Case of Ogun, Osun and Oyo states, was presented by a Senior Research Fellow of the institute’s Social and Governance Policy Research Department, Dr. Abubakar Oladeji.

    Oladeji advised that residents be enlightened on urban renewal as well as enforcement of legislation on environmental sanitation.

    Ojo said the government identified over 1,000 illegal structures blocking waterways across the state.

    The governor’s aide informed the gathering that the government decided to remove them in the next few weeks to avert flooding.

    He said: “Government will remove the structures.  Those qualified for compensation will be compensated. But I can state categorically here that a mass demolition is coming.

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

    “The state government is much more determined than ever before to enforce the urban renewal programmes with its current recruitment of able-bodied environmental enforcement officials. We can only advise and appeal to the public to be more prudent in their refuse disposal and environmental management.”

     

     

  • Ikoyi, V/I, Lekki residents get 14 days to remove ‘illegal’ structures

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has given Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki residents 14 days to remove “illegal” structures from inner streets.

    A statement yesterday by Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mr Tunji Bello said the governor gave the ultimatum after being briefed on the completion of the first stage of the exercise which involved major streets.

    Bello said the monitoring committee would deploy its task force to the inner streets of Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki after the grace period.

    He said a mop up was carried out early this year when it was observed that some of the cleared places were being reconstructed, adding that the governor has directed that another mop up be done.

    Bello explained that since the completion of the first stage, the committee has continued with its advocacy programme on the need to sustain the gains and ensure retention of the areas’ original masterplan.

    The special committee, he added, has also been engaging stakeholders like Victoria Island Ikoyi Residents Association (VIIRA) on how the Clean Up exercise can record more gains in terms of voluntary compliance by residents.

    To recalcitrant residents, Bello said: “We will bring the full effect of the law to bear on whoever contravenes our State Environmental Sanitation laws.

    For all the mechanics and roadside automobile engineers who have been dislodged from the major streets but have relocated to the inner streets and have converted all the walkways, playgrounds, you have still not reached your operating destination. The task force is coming after you when the second phase commences. The earlier you realise that there is no place for roadside mechanics, street traders, shanties or abandoned properties in those areas, the better for you”.

    He said the government would not hesitate to shut down the Federal Marriage Registry in Ikoyi whose patrons park indiscriminately on the road if the practice is not stopped.

    The SSG said mobile courts would sit to try offenders on all days of the inner streets Clean- Up operation.

     

  • Illegal structures in Agege demolished

    Officials of the Lagos State Government yesterday demolished illegal structures on Market Street in Capitol Road, Agege.

    The demolition was carried out to ease traffic as well as expand the ongoing road construction exercise.

    It was gathered that most of the structures demolished were kiosk and container attachments which most residents used as shops infront of their houses.

    Most of the residents were said to have attached the structures without regards to right of way, drainages, while others encroached on government property in doing so.

    But the Lagos State Taskforce on Environment saddled with the responsibility of demolishing such structures said it wasn’t aware of the incident.

  • Lagos insists illegal structures, shanties must go

    Lagos insists illegal structures, shanties must go

    THERE is no going back on the ongoing demolition of illegal structures, shanties on the various waterfronts in the Centre of Excellence, the state government said yesterday.

    Information and Strategy Commissioner Steve Ayorinde, his counterparts in the Environment and Housing, Babatunde Adejare and  Gbolahan Lawal, made the clarification at a joint press conference in Alausa.

    The clarification came barely 24 hours after residents of the affected shanties protested the seven-day notice served on them by the state government to relocate from the shanties, slums and kiosks.

    Addressing journalists, Ayorinde explained that the government embarked on vigorous pursuits of its policy on cleaner environment and restoration of master plans through the removal of all environmental infractions and nuisances across the state.

    He said: “One key point we are trying to emphasize here is the issue of kidnapping. I am sure that you are aware of the protest by the Lagos slum dwellers. It is important to state here that the key reason for the government action was for security of lives and property within the state.

    “Practically, perpetrators of the four kidnapping that had occurred in Lagos this year, escaped through the waterways. Therefore, the government cannot close its eyes to the reality of the moment.

    “Intelligent report showed that many of the settlement especially the shanties and the slums, contribute either to the direct cases of kidnapping or to the escape of the perpetrators.”

    Ayorinde said that government will continue with its strategy of explaining to residents, especially the civil society organisations and those affiliated to foreign NGOs to see reasons with the government to desist from acts that might insight the public against the government.

    He said: “We are not going out of the law to demolish houses. We will often engage with the communities involved before embarking on anything that could affect them.

    “We have always been considerate with the plight of those considered as urban poor but will not allow their situation to jeopardise the safety and security of more than 21 million residents of the state.

    “This is the reason the state government will not back down or succumb to cheap blackmail.”

    Ayorinde note that the flagrant disobedience of building regulations in the state propelled the government to remove all structures that are in contravention of the law.

    He described as worrisome that ramshackle structures, sheds, canopies and shanties, especially along the shorelines, have turned to the abode of miscreants/street urchins, kidnappers, touts, street traders and hawkers who often vandalise public utilities and attack innocent citizens.

    “The State’s Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2010, prohibits erecting structures within the Right of Ways and set backs of drainage Channels, centre-line of over-head electricity wires and also states in very clear terms specified distance to be observed between a Property line and a public utility.”

    He urged residents to comply with government directives, considering that it has invested massively on beautification, solid waste management and cleaning of the environment.

    “There is no going back on the enforcement of applicable laws by removing all development and activities encroaching on the Right of Way of utilities and services. Having residential buildings or conducting business under high tension power lines, constitute danger to lives and properties that could have fatal consequences.”

    Ayorinde said the government will no longer tolerate any violation of its building laws and that it will remove structures and buildings constructed under high tension.

    The Housing commissioner explained that former Governor Bola Tinubu re-claimed Ilubirin10 years ago for the development of an estate.

    He said the fishermen found at the location were relocated to Badore in Ikorodu for them to continue with the fishing activities.

    Lawal said the current occupants moved in after the area was reclaimed by the government and when they were asked to relocate, they refuse to yield to government directive.

    “The fishermen currently displaced were illegal squatters. They do not have legitimate right to live there. For us, there was no community in that location at the moment.”

  • Lagos clarifies demolition of illegal structures, shanties

    Lagos clarifies demolition of illegal structures, shanties

    Lagos State Government on Tuesday clarified its decision to demolish illegal structures and shanties erected along the river banks and under high tension cables across the State, citing security concerns and flagrant abuse of its building regulations as its core reasons.

    Addressing journalists at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said that the move was in line with government’s pursuit of its policy on cleaner environment and restoration of master plans through the removal of all environmental infractions and nuisances across the state.

    He said over time, the Government had noted with dismay, the flagrant disobedience of building regulations in the State, hence its decision to go ahead with the enforcement of structures in contravention of the Law.

    Ayorinde, who was joined at the press briefing by his counterparts in the Ministry of Housing, Mr. Gbolahan Lawal, Ministry of the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Adejare and top officials from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, said the State Government would not go back on its resolve to establish zero tolerance for all structures and properties built under high tension cables.

    “It is quite worrisome that ramshackle structures, sheds, canopies and shanties, especially along shorelines have turned to the abode of miscreants/street urchins, kidnappers, touts, street traders and hawkers who often vandalise public utilities and attack innocent citizens.

    “The State’s Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2010, prohibits erecting structures within the Right of Ways and set backs of drainage channels, centre-line of over-head electricity wires and also states in very clear terms specified distance to be observed between a Property line and a public utility”, he said.

    Ayorinde said after the Security Council Meeting of September, a directive went out to the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABCA) and the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to take inventory of all the houses and buildings along the river banks in the riverine areas of the state to among other things, ascertain whether set backs were adhered to in line with stipulated regulations.

    “So you would see that nothing is being done and nothing will be done in Lagos State as far as demolition of illegal structures are concerned without due considerations to the extant laws of the state and without adequately engaging with the communities and the people involved as demonstrated by what the Governor did in Illubirin to give them more time to move inspite of the repeated warnings and notices that were being served.

    “Yes we would be considerate to the plight of those considered as urban poor, but we will also not allow their situation to jeopardize the safety and security of more than 21 million residents of the state. This is the reason why this is being carried out and this is the reason why government will not succumb to cheap blackmail,” Ayorinde said.

    Explaining further, the Commissioner said most of the buildings marked for demolition did not comply with the required setback as stipulated, saying that such could have fatal consequences in the wake of an incident.

    Giving a background to the demolition of shanties on the Illubirin waterfront, Commissioner for Housing, Prince Gbolahan Lawal, said the occupants were evicted and their shanties demolished because they were illegal settlers in the area.

    He recalled that the Illubirin Housing project started about ten years ago under the administration of former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu with the reclamation of the Lagoon, while the fishermen who were there at that time were resettled at Badore.

    He said after the reclamation, the housing units started in 2013 and it was initially designed to accommodate 1,254 housing units, while the scheme was reviewed and redesigned by the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to make the place a live, work and play environment, with the partnership of a private investor.

    According to Lawal, the illegal settlers moved into Illubirin waterfront during the process of redesigning the scheme, adding that the private investor had perfected plans to move to site, and is committing about $500 million into the scheme.

    On his part, Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, said adequate notices and sensitisation have been embarked upon by the State Government to educate the people on the need to refrain from constructing any structure on river banks, saying that the safety of about 22 million residents of the State cannot be allowed to be jeopardised by few.

  • Cement dealer collapses as Lagos demolishes illegal structures

    A cement dealer yesterday collapsed as the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment demolished illegal structures erected by traders selling building materials along the Centre for Management Development (CMD) Road in Magodo.

    The team, led by the Director of Enforcement and Advocacy, Mr Afolabi Tajudeen, stormed the area at about 11am, just as some of the traders were setting up their goods to commenced business for the day.

    Some of the traders on sighting the government officials ran away while others frantically made efforts to savage their wares.

    The cement dealer collapsed as the bulldozer move towards the direction of her goods.

    On resuscitation, she confirmed that she had received the notice to vacate the area and was making effort to relocate not knowing that the enforcement team will arrived early.

    In tears, she pleaded with the enforcement team and passerby to allow her remove the cements said to be worth over N1 million.

    “I will remove everything, I have already called a vehicle to take away the cement, please show me mercy and don’t destroy my goods,” she pleaded.

    Tajudeen said the government had served noticed to the traders on several occasion to relocate from the area.

    He said: “We have been here severally to serve them notice to leave this place, but you know how stubborn our people can be, once we leave them come back here believing that nothing will happen.

    “Some of our officials were also here yesterday to inform them about this enforcement but you can see that in spite of the warning, they are still here carrying out their trading activities.”

    He said the government will not tolerate any form of environmental nuisance.

    “This is an exercise that will go on simultaneously in all the five divisions of the state. We will be out twice in a week, and we are reaching out to all the five divisions of the state, and we want to see how far we can go,” he said.

    He said to prevent the traders from returning back to the area after the dislodgement, the government will direct the Lagos State Parks and Garden (LASPARK) to move into the area, while the officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) would regularly patrol the area.