In a bid to ensure safe and livable environment for residents and citizens at all times, the Oyo State government has said it will commence removal of illegal structures erected on flood plains, blockage of waterways, and buildings under high tension power lines.
Speaking with pressmen in Ibadan on Thursday, after a meeting with key stakeholders in the sector, the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Town-Planner Emmanuel Olusegun Olayiwola decried the present state of physical planning in the state, adding that it has become an issue of concern to government.
He further decried the illegal development under power lines in the state, saying that some developments on pipelines, under high-tension cables, are in deviance to the state’s physical planning law.
Olayiwola promised not to use a fire brigade approach but serve such affected traders and residents contravention notices before removals.
He further attributed non-adherence to planning standards to the high incidence of illegal structures all over the state, saying if not checked on time, would pose a huge threat to residents of the state.
According to him, the Ministry, following reports from concerned citizens of the state over erection of structures under power lines and its attendant health hazard to the good people of the state, will swing into action very soon.
He explained further that the state government would soon embark on property auditing, enforcement of planning standards and technological innovations.
Olayiwola also said the Oyo State government has introduced a lands administration system, to manage the generation of demand notice.
He said the Billing System has been deployed to eleven local government town planning offices in Ibadan zone, for a test run, while the Ministry is on the verge of eradicating manual invoice/bill.
Townplanner Olayiwola added that the state government has therefore constituted an enforcement initiative that will check the excessive growth of urban plights in the state.
“This exercise is just to ensure a sustainable, organised and livable environment for the citizens of the state”, he said.
The Commissioner for Lands however, sternly warned members of the public against attack and abuse on government officials in the course of duty.
He also advised developers in the state to obtain approval from the town planning offices in their various local governments, before embarking on any development.
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