The Osun State Government has demolished about 30 buildings put up on waterways as part of efforts to prevent flooding.
The Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Mayowa Adejoorin, confirmed the demolition on Sunday, saying it targeted buildings in swampy areas and along riverbanks that could pose a threat during heavy rains.
“In Osogbo, we have about 15 structures that we removed, also in Ile-Ife about six, Ilesa six and in other towns,” Adejoorin said. “This is to ensure the safety of the residents of the state.”
He explained that the move followed flood warnings from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMET. He added that property owners had been given warnings and deadlines to remove illegal structures before the demolition began.
“We have taken proactive steps to reduce the risk of flooding in the state following the prediction of NiMET. We started dredging our waterways last December and have cleared refuse dumped in them to prevent blockages,” he said.
Adejoorin noted that the administration places safety and the protection of lives above all else. “Where we have illegal structures, we give them notice to remove them and after the notice, if it is not removed, we demolish it,” he said.
He urged residents to stop dumping refuse in waterways and to follow environmental laws to avoid penalties.
