The Ondo State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has intensified enforcement against illegal structures and street encroachments as part of efforts to regulate rapid urbanisation and restore order in cities across the state.
The Permanent Secretary, Building Control Unit of the ministry, Abimbola Tofowomo, disclosed this in an interview with THE HOPE.
According to him, the state is witnessing a surge in rural-to-urban migration, prompting planning authorities to strengthen daily monitoring and enforcement operations.
He said officials are serving quit notices and removing unauthorised shanties, kiosks and other structures obstructing public spaces in Akure and other urban centres.
Tofowomo explained that the ministry’s Monitoring and Enforcement Department has been actively checking illegal developments, encroachments and other activities that violate physical planning regulations.
“The basis is the issue of urbanisation. The rate at which our cities are urbanising is increasing rapidly. We must consider the rate of population growth and the inflow of people from rural communities into urban areas,” he said.
He noted that many migrants erect kiosks and makeshift structures within road setbacks and public spaces because of the high cost of land and the challenge of securing permanent accommodation.
“There is a surge in migration. People come into the cities in search of jobs and better livelihoods. That is why we keep seeing kiosks on road setbacks. Many people cannot afford land, so they put up shanties where they display and sell goods,” he added.
The permanent secretary acknowledged that the ministry faces operational challenges but stressed that enforcement officers have continued to remove illegal structures and issue quit notices across major roads and residential areas.
He revealed that the ministry recently directed automobile dealers to stop displaying vehicles on pedestrian walkways and road setbacks.
“We have given notices to auto dealers to stop displaying vehicles on pedestrian walkways. As we move around Akure, we see vehicles parked for sale on walkways and setbacks. We have engaged them, and we are already getting positive results,” he said.
Tofowomo urged residents of Akure and other parts of the state to support the urban renewal programme of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration by complying with physical planning regulations.
He said the ministry is implementing several physical development plans across the state, including the Akure Physical Development Plan, in collaboration with the Federal Government.
According to him, the government is expanding infrastructure and modernising the state’s road network, citing the replacement of several roundabouts with traffic signal systems and the ongoing construction of a 2.3-kilometre flyover in Akure.
He added that the government is also strengthening the ministry’s workforce to keep pace with the state’s growing urban population while undertaking urban renewal studies in key commercial districts such as Odopetu, Oke Aro and Ijemikin to ensure orderly development.