Ondo to commence demolition of structures under power lines

By Bukola Olamona
The Ondo State Government has announced plans to begin the demolition of buildings and other structures constructed beneath power lines across the state.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Chief Bunmi Alade, issued this warning on Wednesday during a radio programme in Akure.
Describing the increasing trend of constructing buildings under high-tension wires as alarming, Chief Alade stressed that the government would no longer tolerate such practices.
He urged those with structures close to power lines to begin their removal ahead of the impending demolition exercise.
Chief Alade also cautioned landowners to adhere strictly to building regulations, warning that those who fail to comply would bear the consequences of their actions.
“The failure of residents to obtain building approvals from the state government before construction remains a major challenge,” he said.
“There is something that is happening in Ondo State that is not too palatable. People build under power lines. It is hazardous. There are rules guiding buildings.
“I don’t know how people will see the power line up there and they are convenient to stay under them. Real building, apart from shanties, you see buildings springing up.
“There are rules that must be adhered to. I want to beg people, we just have to desist from it.
“We cannot continue building under power lines. If today we don’t have the wherewithal to do the enforcement of bringing them out of that place, there is no day that it will not happen. It’s happening soon.
“People should not build under power lines. It’s wrong. People should think of their health. There are celebrated cases of those that have been involved in all these something, what the repercussions are. So let’s start to plead to people. Don’t be, if you are, if you built anything there, please plan to move. It’s not the best.
“Let me say once again, there is no time we will not go into demolition of all those buildings on that power line. It will definitely happen. It might not be today, but it’s something that will happen not too long from now. So the affected people should watch out.”
The government’s stance highlights the risks posed by such structures to public safety and underscores the need for compliance with urban development regulations.