Kogi govt demolishes illegal structures

Determined to instill sanity and enforce environmental law, Kogi State Town Planning and Development Board, has commenced the demolition of illegal structures obstructing water channels and access roads in Lokoja the state capital.

Acting General Manager of the state Town Planning and Development Board (TPDB) Isah Aliyu disclosed this at the commencement of the exercise in Lokoja last week

Aliyu said the move was to ensure free flow of water through drainages and canals as well as enhance traffic flow on major roads in the state.

He said the move had become necessary in view of the increasing gridlock in Lokoja township roads especially, Ganaja Road which he noted, had led to avoidable auto crashes and difficult vehicular movement.

One of such structures obstructing structures in Phase II area of Lokoja was completely pulled down by the board after several warnings to the landlord, he said.

Aliyu stressed that government was poised to bring relief to motorists by ensuring smooth flow of traffic across the major roads in the state adding that it would be unfair for an individual to use his structure to obstruct and add pressure on the roads.

The Acting General Manager however appealed to the people to be law abiding while reiterating the need for them to get the necessary approval from the board before erecting structures.

Aliyu warned that failure of landlords to obtain necessary approvals before embarking on development of structures would lead to the demolition of such structures.

A community leader who pleaded anonymity, said that they had made several efforts to persuade the owner of one of such structures from continuing with his project, “but all pleas fell on deaf ears.”

He further applauded the prompt action of the board, stressing that it was a welcome development that would further sensitize the public on the dangers of such activities.