By Josephine Oguntoyinbo
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Determined to follow the physical planning rules guiding Akure, the Ondo State capital, the state Ministry of Physical and Urban Planning has vowed to remove all illegal structures in Akure metropolis.

The State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Prince Solagbade Amodeni made the declaration while leading the enforcement squad of the ministry alongside some dualisation committee members of the state to monitor the demolition of illegal attachments.

“These illegal attachments have for long defaced the state capital and the process of urban renewal, things must be done right this time”, he noted.

 According to him, the state government is ensuring that urban renewal is re-emphasized in the state capital as parts of efforts towards proper planning of the environment with recourse to physical planning rules.

The team was on site for the exercise preceding the commencement of the dualisation of Oba Osupa road (from SO junction to NEPA roundabout).

Speaking further, Amodeni said that the removal of the eave projections and illegal structures must precede the dualisation exercise.

He informed that the ministry of works that is in charge of the dualisation had earlier sensitized relevant stakeholders and made provision for compensation for the demolition of legal and approved structures.

He however posited that the removal and demolition of illegal structures and attachments will not attract any form of compensation.

Speaking on the relocation order given to auto dealers operating in unapproved places, the commissioner promised that the ministry is not tired and will visit them soon.

“The ministry will not rest on its oars at ensuring full compliance with government’s directive, we will soon go out, but this time, the full weight of the law will be applied”, he warned.

The dualisation committee members who were on site with the commissioner include his counterpart in the Ministry of Works and Infrastructures, Mr Taofeek Abdusalam, S.S.A to the State governor  on Infrastructure and Lands, Mr Raimi Aminu ,and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Taiwo Otun among others.