Kwara gov’t demolishes Crystal corner shops, cites land use violation

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

The Kwara State Geographic Information Service (KW-GIS) has announced the demolition of the Crystal corner shops, stating that the structures violate the government’s land use approval granted on March 22, 2013.

According to KW-GIS, the land was originally approved solely for use as a car park, but the space was converted into commercial shops without proper authorization.

In a statement released on Sunday, KW-GIS explained that the illegal structures obstruct key aspects of the state’s urban renewal programme, including urban planning, road expansion, and environmental protection efforts.

The agency emphasized that the land, located near the new state secretariat complex, was initially intended as a green area where civil servants, pensioners, and the public could relax.

“It is trite to say that a land allotted for the purpose of a car park cannot and should not become corner shops which it became overnight,” KW-GIS stated.

Tenants occupying the shops have been instructed to remove their goods, as the government proceeds with its urban renewal programme. KW-GIS assured the public that the demolition is part of a larger, impartial effort to remove structures that violate land use approvals, adding that several other defaulting properties have been demolished for similar reasons.

The agency concluded by affirming that no preferential treatment would be given to any structure that stands in the way of public interest.