The Ondo State Government has commenced the demolition of buildings and other structures erected on waterways and government setbacks in Akure, the state capital, as it steps up efforts to prevent flooding and enforce physical planning laws.

A statement signed by Williams Oni, the Director of Information of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, stated that the exercise, which started along Oyemekun Road, a metropolitan artery in capital city, forms part of a wider campaign by the state government to remove developments obstructing natural drainage channels.

He stated that the operation is intended to reduce the risk of flooding and erosion during the rainy season while addressing violations of urban planning regulations that have contributed to indiscriminate development in parts of the state capital.

An apartment marked for demolition

The demolition was jointly carried out by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Technical and Ecological Control.