Ogun Explains Rationale Behind Demolition in Pakoto

The on-going demolition of illegal structures in Pakoto, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State becomes necessary to pave way for the construction of a Federal Government-owned medical facility for which the lands had earlier been allocated.

 

Commissioner for Urban and Physical Planning, Mr. Gbenga Otenuga made this clarification while inspecting demolition of the illegal structures, saying it was wicked for anyone to conclude that the State Government derives pleasure in destroying people’s properties.

 

Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, TPL. Abiodun Adewolu, Otenuga recalled that over 2000 hectares were initially allocated to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for the hospital project, but that with the intervention of some personalities including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, a total of 270 hectares was later excised and allotted.

 

The Commissioner revealed that some deceitful land speculators however encroached into the land and sold them to unsuspecting members of the public who later put up buildings.

 

Following this discovery, Otenuga said the Ministry officials swung into action and served the developers Contravention Notices, Stop Work Order, Quit Notices and Demolition Order as required by town planning laws, but the contraveners ignored and refused to comply.

 

“ We did everything necessary as stipulated by the law to stop them, having discovered that they were building on the land allocated for public use, but they ignored and refused to comply, if they had obeyed the law, this would not have happened to them”, the Commissioner stated.

 

He emphasised that Government derived no pleasure in demolishing properties but would not fold its arms and watch some unscrupulous elements in the society under whatever guise disobey the law particularly, in this case where the health facility, which is of international standard would be of immense benefit to people living within and outside the State.

 

Otenuga underscored the need for members of the public interested in erecting structures to always be wary and follow due process by visiting the nearest Town Planning office to ascertain the status of the land they want to buy to prevent the painful experience of demolition.