OYO State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has given a seven-day demolition notice to owners of houses constructed on water paths in Ibadan, the state capital.
This is just as he declared Ibadan a disaster-devastated zone requiring urgent intergovernmental attention and called on the Federal Government to come to the aid of the state government in the areas of channelisation of rivers and stream as well as rehabilitation of those affected.
The governor issued the notice on Wednesday in an interview with newsmen during a second-day assessment tour of areas devastated by last Friday’s flood that claimed several lives and buildings.
Ajimobi, who had another hectic day inspecting the areas in the rain in the company of his Ekiti State counterpart, Governor Kayode Fayemi, also said that traders and stalls along roadsides and water courses would be removed to prevent a recurrence of the disaster.
He attributed the tragic incident to the effect of global climate change, obstruction of waterways through the erection of unapproved buildings and non-compliance with town planning laws and regulations.
He also decried the alleged bad quality of infrastructure provided by the immediate past administration, as a result of which, he said, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arrested some of those who served in the last administration.
While seeking the support of landlords and understanding from those that will be affected by the demolition exercise, he stated that the action would be in the overall interest of all in the state because nothing could be compared with human lives.
The governor ordered that a filling station being constructed on Adeoyo Road, off Ring Road, in defiance of the 150-metre set back prescription be included on the list of houses to be demolished.
He also said a committee would be set up to give a comprehensive assessment of the situation, while those who had approved building plans and were affected would be assisted by government.
Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who disclosed that his state had donated relief materials to assist the victims of the unfortunate development, said although the planned demolition would attract opposition from people, residents of the state would be the better for it in the long run.
Citing the demolition of buildings in his own state in the last two months, he said a drastic problem like the one in Oyo State required a determined effort to prevent further loss of life and property.
‘102 dead in Ibadan flood’
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Red Cross says flash flooding in the country's South-West last week has killed at least 102 people.(Nigerian Tribune)
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