Ekiti government directs LG chairmen to test integrity historic structures

The State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has instructed local government chairmen to collaborate with Town Planning Area Officers to identify all deteriorated buildings within their councils and submit reports of their findings to the ministry within a week in an attempt to prevent any more cases of collapsed buildings in Ekiti State.

The directive was given by Oladapo Karounwi, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, during a visit to the site of the collapsed building at Odo Uri Street in Igede Ekiti. The commissioner instructed the chairmen to promptly evacuate the occupants of any identified dilapidated buildings in their respective council areas.

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The commissioner stated that the buildings must be demolished by December at the latest for the owners to continue to own the landed properties following the evacuation. If the demolition is not completed by January, either by the owners or the local councils, the Ministry will demolish the buildings and the government will seize ownership of the land.

While expressing sympathy to the victims’ relatives, Karounwi said that the Ekiti State Government would not jeopardise public safety or life.

The commissioner emphasised the dedication of the Biodun Oyebanji government to creating a comfortable atmosphere for the populace.

The local council executives will do everything in their power to stop such unsightly incidents in the future, according to Babatola Ogundana, the Chairman of the Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area. Ogundana stated that efforts were underway to destroy run-down buildings throughout the LGAs.

Mr. Sunday Akinyele responded on behalf of the Akinyele family, the building’s owners, and urged the state government and well-meaning Nigerians to help reconstruct the home.