The Kogi State Government has taken action to dismantle shanties housing hoodlums and criminals around the Ganaja flyover bridge in Lokoja, the state capital.
Led by the State’s Commissioner for Environment and Ecological Management, Engr. Oluwasegun Joseph, officials of the ministry conducted the demolition exercise on Thursday in Lokoja.
Speaking to reporters after the demolition, the commissioner explained that the action was part of Governor Ahmed Ododo’s commitment to ensuring the security of life and property in Lokoja metropolis and its environs.
Joseph highlighted that the demolished structures were unlawfully erected and had become havens for hoodlums and criminals in the confluence city.
Despite repeated warnings to remove the structures, the occupants failed to comply, necessitating the demolition.
“It is a new dawn in the state; scavengers and hoodlums will no longer be tolerated in Lokoja metropolis and its environs.
“The illegal structures are harbouring hoodlums and criminals, hence the need to take this decisive action by the state government.
The commissioner stressed that the government under the leadership of Governor Ododo would not tolerate scavengers and hoodlums within Lokoja metropolis or any part of the state.
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Joseph added: “If we allow these kinds of illegal structures in Lokoja metropolis, the rate of insecurity will increase. We will demolish them anywhere we find them”.
Also Speaking, Abdullahi Yusuf, the Ag. General Manager, Kogi State Town Planning and Development Board, said the occupants of the shanties had been served on several occasions but remained adamant.
“We have marked and served them notice severally but they have refused to move, so I am happy that the commissioner is matching his words with action.
“The illegal structures were erected in the heart of the town within the 16km radius, which should not be allowed to remain there.
“This will serve as a deterrent to other defaulters, and the action will continue because we are not going to condone any act of illegality in the state.
“The green belts in Lokoja have also been occupied illegally and we will go after them to remove them and pull down the illegal structures.
In the same vein, the commissioner and his team also evacuated all illegal occupants under the newly constructed Ganaja flyover bridge, Lokoja.
The commissioner warned hoodlums and scavengers against loitering around or under the bridge, stressing that defaulters would be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
According to him, prohibited activities under the Ganaja flyover include: no trading, staying, resting, loitering, no parking of any vehicle and no dumping of refuse.
In the commissioner’s entourage were the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Jibrin Saidu; Ag. General Manager, Sanitation Board; Director Sanitation, Mr Vincent Falodun, among others.
. TheWitness
