Ondo begins demolition of buildings on waterways to prevent floods
The Ondo State Government has commenced the demolition of buildings and structures erected on waterways and government setbacks in Akure as part of efforts to prevent flooding.
The Ondo State Government has commenced the demolition of buildings and other structures erected on waterways and government setbacks in Akure, the state capital, as it steps up efforts to prevent flooding and enforce physical planning laws. The exercise, which started along Oyemekun Road, a metropolitan artery in the capital city, forms part of a wider campaign to remove developments obstructing natural drainage channels.
The operation is intended to reduce the risk of flooding and erosion during the rainy season while addressing violations of urban planning regulations that have contributed to indiscriminate development in parts of the state capital. The demolition was jointly carried out by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Technical and Ecological Control.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Sunday Olajide, warned developers and property owners against erecting buildings on waterways or within government setbacks without approval. He said the government would continue enforcing planning regulations to promote orderly urban development.
“The government will not compromise on physical planning regulations. Any structure erected in violation of approved standards or located on government setbacks and waterways will face appropriate enforcement measures,” he said.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Technical and Ecological Control, Elisha Ebijimi, said the affected property owners had been served notices before the demolition exercise commenced. According to him, the operation would pave the way for the expansion of blocked waterways and the construction of concrete retaining walls to improve drainage and control erosion.
The demolition exercise is a necessary step to prevent flooding in Akure. The city has experienced flooding in recent years, and the obstruction of waterways has been a major contributing factor. The government’s enforcement action sends a signal that it is serious about urban planning.
This echoes the 2020 demolition of buildings on waterways in Lagos, which also sought to prevent flooding. The mechanism then was different, but the result was the same: a government taking enforcement action to protect lives and property.
The winners: Akure residents, who will benefit from reduced flood risk; and the Ondo State Government, which is enforcing planning laws. The losers: the property owners whose buildings have been demolished; and the Nigerian public, who must hope that the enforcement is sustained.
Bottom Line: Ondo is demolishing buildings on waterways to prevent floods. The message is clear: the law will be enforced. The question is whether the enforcement will be sustained or will fade after the rainy season.