Ondo Govt Justifies Demolition Of Shops In Akure,Says It Is Lawful As Victims Count Losses

Adeboye Aremu

Traders woke up on Wednesday Morning to find their Shops around Grand Capital hotel Alagbaka Akure demolished by officials of the ministry of physical planning and urban development.

Our Correspondent who visited the scene reports that boutiques, saloons, barbershop, relaxation center, Restaurants and car wash along the line were some of the structures affected by the demolition.

One of the shop owners, Mr Olawale Ebimotigha alleged that his shop was looted in the process.

Ebimotigha lamented that his only source of livelihood with his family had been destroyed.

Another shop owner, Mr Akin Oriku who presented a copy of quit notice dated 12th September, 2019 from the ministry noted that they had complied with what was contained in the notice to renovate their premises.

Some of the business premises owners who preferred anonymity called on government to come to their aid on the damages done on their goods.

Meanwhile, Ondo State government has justified the demolition by saying it has not violated any law by the demolition exercise on some parts of Alagbaka Akure.

The state Commissioner for physical planning and urban development, Mr Rasheed Badmus stated this while reacting on the exercise carried out overnight in the affected areas.

The commissioner noted that the ministry acted on tip off that the area harboured criminals who hide and perpetrated dastard acts in the state capital.

Badmus explained that the shop owners had been served quit notice but refused to comply noting that the government would not condone any act of lawlessness capable of putting the state in jeopardy.

He maintained that the exercise would also be replicated in areas suspected to be prone to danger.

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