By Kemi Olatunde

The Ondo State Government has commenced the demolition of illegal structures within car parks in Akure, the state capital, as part of efforts to restore their original purpose.

The enforcement exercise follows the issuance of notices to illegal occupants in 2024, directing them to remove their structures.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Chief Odusanya, stated that the operation, coordinated by the Ondo State Ministry of Transport, was necessary as many car parks had been converted into markets, thereby defeating their intended use.

He emphasised that the parks were originally designed to provide parking spaces for shoppers to help reduce traffic congestion on the roads.

Speaking further, he said that tricycle operators had been directed to relocate to designated parks as follows: “Tricycle operators around Arakale are to move to Sammy Park, tricycle operators around Isikan Market are to move to Isikan Park, tricycle operators around Adedeji Market and Provisions Store are to move to Adedeji Park, tricycle operators around NEPA Roundabout and Hospital Road are to move to NEPA Park, while tricycle operators around Olukayode, Post Office, Texaco Area, Obanla Junction, Oshodi Market Junction, and Ijomu Junction are to move to Democracy Park.

Failure to comply with this directive will attract penalties.”