The Ondo State Government on Monday said that it had demolished illegal structures in the Government Reserved Area (GRA) in Owo Local Government Area.
The state Commissioner of Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Solagbade Amodeni, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Akure.
Amodeni said that the erection of the demolished structures contravened Urban and Regional Planning Decree 88 of 1992 and Section 9 and 17(7) of the Ondo State Building and Subdivision Regulations, 1984.
“The control and enforcement unit of the Ondo State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development carried out the demolition exercise.
“The structures were demolished specifically because they blocked access roads in the GRA and did not follow approved plans.
“The state government will continue to monitor building plans and demolish illegal structures so that they do not disfigure the state,’’ he said.
The commissioner said that The GRAs were among some cherished schemes of government in the state and that government would not fold its arms and watch it being disfigured.
According to Amodeni, the demolition will deter people from erecting structures arbitrarily without approved plans.
He said that the town planners carried out the demolition in compliance with the town planning rules and regulations.
Amodeni advised prospective property owners to ensure that their building plans received approval from the town planning authority.
“For the fact that you own the land does not give you total freedom to build anyhow on it; GRA is a model in the state where law of planning and building is strictly followed.
“We will continue with monitoring building plans and demolition of illegal structures in the state,” the commissioner said.