Ogun State government has demolished all shanties and makeshift structures at the Akute Under- Bridge and on the wall of the fence of Zumuratul Primary School.
The
government also warned traditional rulers not to use their position to
illegally allocate setbacks and open spaces in their domain to traders for commercial
gains.
Senior
Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment, Alhaji Farook Akintunde gave the warning when he led the state
Taskforce on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement to demolish all the
shanties and makeshift structures in the area.
He 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 the spaces at the Akute
Underbridge and on the walls of school by the traditional ruler of the area for
commercial gains.
The
allocation and the activities of the traders according to him exposed the
residents of the community to avoidable danger while the students of the
schools have faced untold hardship through noise pollution and unnecessary
distraction.
"Aside
from the environmental nuisances which they create, no government will fold its
hands and watch a traditional ruler illegally allocate setbacks and open spaces
to traders instead of him directing them to government designated markets for
selfish gains.
"That
the wall of the fence of Zumuratul Primary School was even allocated despite
knowing that serene atmosphere is needed for learning is not only bad, but
constituted an affront to state government's policies of effective learning
environment.
"So
the state government had no other choice than to restore the environmental and
learning dignity of the area by demolishing all the shanties and makeshift
structures" Akintunde added.
He
therefore warned the displaced traders not to go back to the recovered spaces
as Environmental Marshals have being detailed to apprehend anyone caught.
In her
remarks the Chair of Ifo Local Government, Mrs Kikelomo Delano thanked the
state government for heeding the call of the community.
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