Environmental Hazard: 78 Houses For Demolition In Ekiti

L-R: Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Dr. (Mrs.) Omobolanle Fakunle; an Ekiti Environmental Awardee, Mrs. Jumoke Adamolekun; and Commissioner for Environment, Dr. (Mrs.) Eniola Ajayi, during the flag-off of the 2013 Advocacy Meetings with Environmental Stakeholders, in Ado-Ekiti.

No fewer than 78 houses built on waterways in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital have been marked for demolition in the next two weeks.

The State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi who made this known during an advocacy meeting with Environment stakeholders held in Ado Ekiti on Thursday said the demolition became necessary as the affected structures were built on waterways and have caused environmental threat to other buildings in the area.

It would be recalled that the Governor had inspected some communities which were affected by flooding resulting from an 8-hour long rain in Ado Ekiti two weeks ago and had directed the Ministry of Housing, Urban and Physical Planning to carry out an assessment of Olorunda, Adebayo, Peace Avenue and Omisanjana, the affected communities for the causes of the disaster and permanent solutions.

Dr. Fayemi who stated that the Ministry, after the assessment identified no fewer than 78 buildings that would be demolished to pave easy passage for water emanating from heavy downpour; said government cannot allow citizens to build houses in unauthorised areas; adding that indiscriminate erection of structures can constitute environmental hazard to the society.

While expressing displeasure at the exclusion of the State from weather forecast by some television stations, the Governor announced that the State Government has approved the establishment of a standard meteorological station as well as the conduct of hydro-geophysical investigation for ground water pollution in Ado Ekiti.

These, he said, would have helped keep the people abreast of any heavy rainfall and prepare ahead if the meteorological station were available before the rain that claimed the life of a 7-year old boy.

Dr. Fayemi who added that government has also approved the construction of six public toilets in Ado metropolis and other local government headquarters, disclosed that the bus stops proposed to be built in the State capital before the end of the year will also have toilet facilities.

He hinted that his administration is considering establishing a zoological garden and recreation park in Ado Ekiti as well as the conversion of Isan-Ayede Forest reserve to a game reserve while the conservation of Ise forest reserve for Cameroon Chimpanzee is under construction.

In her remarks, the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Eniola Ajayi  said the State Government through State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has started aggressive channelization of flood prone areas and dredging of water ways in the State while the Ministry is also in the process of embarking on some earth dredging in some of our flood prone areas to tackle the issue of incessant flooding especially within the Ado Ekiti Metropolis.

While stating that government will not tolerate trading on the roads, the Commissioner said government will from Monday begin to enforce a minimum set back of at least 4 metres along the roads for outdoor traders while the enforcement of laws against illegal parking on roadsides, removal of illegal structures and indiscriminate dumping of building materials on the road will also commence.

Ajayi however said the State Government would want the local council bosses to address the construction of public toilets, provision of public cemetery and promotion of sanitary disposal of corpses within residential areas, fumigation of dump sites and pest control and control of stray animals and illegal trading.

Last modified: May 3, 2013