The Nation Newspaper

Tag: structures

  • Sokoto to demolish illegal structures

    The Sokoto State government is to embark on the demolition of illegal structures in Sokoto City and it environs.

    The Chairman of the State Committee on Sanitation, Removal of Illegal Structures and Beautification of Sokoto City, Squadron Leader Aminu Bala (rtd), stated this in an interview with journalists in Sokoto.

    He said that some illegal structures that were demolished by government about two months ago, had resurfaced.

    Bala listed areas to be affected by the exercise as Ahmadu Bello Way, Kano road, Sultan Abubakar road, Abuja road, and the western bye-pass.

    “The Sokoto State Government is therefore set to commence the demolition exercise in Sokoto City and its environs, from Sept. 30, and no illegal structure will be spared.

    “The aim of the massive exercise is to ensure that buildings are erected with the permission of all the regulatory agencies of the government.

    “This is also to ensure that we restore all structures to be in tune with the original master plan of the city.

    “ We have given the owners of the affected structures several notices and they had repeatedly ignored such notices.

    “ What remains now is for us to swing into action and pull down these structures, both commercial and residential,” he said.

    He appealed to the residents of the city to support and cooperate with the committee, to ensure the success of the exercise.

    On the issue of sanitation, Bala said a mobile court, headed by a Magistrate, had been re-introduced to prosecute all offenders summarily.

    He said the court began operations on September 28, having been moribund for about 12 years.

     

  • Plateau APC begins talks on office structures

    The Plateau State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the three parties in its fold have begun talks on how to form formidable structures for the party.

    It hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for registering the party.

    The State Publicity Secretary of the absorbed Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), one of the parties in the APC merger, Jamilu Baba, spoke in Jos, the state capital.

    He said: “The Plateau State chapter of the party will be the first to establish state structures of the new party as soon as the national body of the party gives the go-ahead.

    “Politicians on the Plateau are the happiest for the formal registration of the APC. In fact, we are set to take off in the state with all necessary party structures because we have got a party and we can’t afford any delay. Plateau people are anxious to welcome the party with both arms.

    “Politicians on the Plateau see the formal registration of APC by the INEC as the best thing the commission has ever done for democracy in the country. This is because the APC is the right platform for democracy to thrive in this country.

    “Plateau people are tired of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and they are anxiously waiting for an alternative platform, which has come with the emergence of the APC.

     

     

     

     

     

  • 50 illegal structures demolished in Ibadan

    Over 50 illegal structures in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, have been demolished to pave the way for the government’s urban renewal programme.

    The structures were on major roads in Sabo. Over 40 of them were Suya spots on the Adamasingba-Ibadan Recreation Club-Jembewon road.

    Motorists often experienced traffic jam on the road, as traders encroached on it.

    When The Nation visited the area yesterday, owners of the demolished structures were removing valuables from the ruins.

    The Commissioner for Environment, Lowo Obisesan, described the area as an “eyesore”.

    He said the demolished structures had no water and toilets, adding that the area was indiscriminately littered with refuse.

    Obisesan said the demolition was in line with the ongoing clean-up of Ibadan.

    He said: “Before the demolition, we held meetings with leaders and youths in the area, so that they will not think we want to chase them away from the area. We explained our reasons for the demolition to them to forestall any revolt that may jeopardise the existing peace in the state.

    “We gave owners of the demolished spots three areas where they can relocate to in Ibadan. The areas are TCTC motor-park; the Eleyele Water Works, where we have about six acres of land; and the former airspace, now acquired by the government.”

    The commissioner said the demolition would be extended to the other side of Sabo, where the Ibadan Golf Club is situated.

  • ‘Re-paint structures on highways’

    Lagos State Government has asked residents with properties on major highway to paintsuch structures to complement its efforts in beautifying the metropolis for the yuletide.

    The Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, gave this charge while monitoring the ministry’s projects across the state.

    He expressed displeasure about the poor state of most buildings on major highways and streets, like Ikorodu Road, Agege Motor Road, Funsho Williams Avenue, Isolo Road, Mushin, Oshodi, Victoria Island, Apapa, Ikoyi among others.

    The other category of neglected buildings noticeable on Lagos roads, he said, were those he referred to as “abandoned properties,” which he noted were prevalent in Ilasamaja, Apapa, Creek Road, Ikoyi, and Victoria Island.

    Properties along this corridor, he said, were abandoned by their owners, who have relocated and left them in the care of their security guards and local mai-guards who have converted them to “Okada parks” and hideout for miscreants.

    He advised the owners to come and take ownership of their buildings, ensure they are put in proper shape and painted to complement the government’s effort on its massive environmental regeneration programmes.

    Bello said the task of building a new Lagos that is adorned with beautiful highways/high streets, recreational parks/gardens and lush green lawns is the ultimate goal of and the collective responsibility of the people.

    He urged individuals, groups and corporate bodies to join hands with the government to attain a cleaner and sustainable environment.

  • Ogun to pay N10b for demolished structures

    The demolition of structures began yesterday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, to give way for the expansion of roads.

    The bulldozers began work in Itoku, Ake, Sapon Omida, Panseke and Onikolobo.

    Governor Ibikunle Amosun said over N10 billion compensation would be paid to owners of affected buildings.

    He assured affected shop owners that they would be the first beneficiaries of the shopping malls that would be built by the government.

    Addressing residents in Panseke, Amosun praised the people for cooperating with the government.

    He said: “In a year’s time, you will not recognise this place. We thank everybody, particularly the property owners. We cannot develop without some pain, but the outcome will benefit everybody.

    “We cannot continue to live as if we are 100 years back. Some of these roads were built when I was a young boy. We need to build new roads and shopping complexes. Shop owners affected by the demolition will be the first to benefit when we build the shopping malls.

    “I feel very proud today that I am from Ogun State. Most of you complied with our directives and we are happy that you showed understanding in this project.”