The Ogun State government has demolished shanties and makeshift structures at the Akute Underbridge, and along the wall of Zumuratul Primary School, also in Akute.
The state also warned traditional rulers not to illegally allocate setbacks and open spaces in their domain to traders for commercial gains. Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment, Farook Akintunde, gave the warning when he led the Task Force on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement to demolish shanties and makeshift structures in the area.
Akintunde said the demolition became necessary, following a petition sent to the state government by the Anigilage Community Association and the management of Zumuratul Primary School on the illegal allocation of spaces at Akute Underbridge and along the walls of the school.
He said the allocation and activities of the traders expose residents of the community to danger while students of the schools face noise pollution and unnecessary distraction.
“Aside from the environmental nuisances which they create, no government will fold its hands and watch a traditional ruler, for selfish gains, illegally allocate setbacks and open spaces to traders, instead of directing them to government designated markets.
“That the wall of the fence of Zumuratul Primary School was even allocated, despite knowing that a serene atmosphere is needed for learning, is not only bad, but constitutes an affront to the state government’s policy on effective learning environment.
“So, the state government had no other choice but restore the environmental and learning dignity of the area by demolishing all the shanties and makeshift structures,” Akintunde said.
He warned the displaced traders not to go back to the spaces because environmental marshals have been instructed to apprehend anyone caught doing so.
Also, Chairman of Ifo Local Council, Kikelomo Delano, thanked the state government for heeding the call of the community association and the primary school, pledging that the council will enforce a no-trading order in the demolished areas.
