Ondo cracks down on illegal riverside structures to tackle flooding

By Boye Oyeyemi

The Ondo State Government has commenced the demolition of buildings and other structures erected on waterways and government setbacks in Akure as part of efforts to curb flooding, erosion and building collapse.

The exercise, carried out along Oyemekun Road near Access Bank by officials of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development in collaboration with the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Technical and Ecological Control, targeted structures identified as obstructing natural drainage channels.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Sunday Olajide, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Building Control Unit, Abimbola Tofowomo, warned property owners against erecting buildings on unauthorised sites, saying such violations would attract demolition and other sanctions.

“Developers must comply with approved building regulations and avoid encroaching on waterways or government setbacks. Any structure found to be in violation of planning laws will face appropriate enforcement measures,” he said.

Olajide stated that the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa remained committed to urban renewal and orderly physical development, adding that monitoring and enforcement activities had been intensified across the state to ensure compliance with planning regulations.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Technical and Ecological Control, Elisha Ebijimi, said the demolition followed the expiration of notices served on affected property owners, emphasizing that the government would not allow illegal structures to hinder its flood control projects.

“We will remove all obstructions along the waterways, widen the drainage channels and construct concrete retaining walls to improve water flow and reduce the risk of flooding and erosion. Similar exercises will be extended to other parts of Akure and later Ondo town,” Ebijimi stated.

He added that work on the drainage improvement project at the affected location was expected to be completed within two weeks as part of the state’s broader strategy to prevent environmental disasters.