MPPUD Commissioner Olaniyi Sympathizes with Victims of Ondo Flooding; Warns People Contravening Building Laws in the State.o
Ondo State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Hon. Gbenga Olaniyi, has expressed sympathy to the victims and the people of Ondo Kingdom over the recent flood which took over the city, on Friday, October 4, 2024.
The commissioner described the incident as horrible and devastating, and therefore commensurate with the victims and the entire people of the city over the unexpected losses caused by the flood.
Hon. Olaniyi, who was on inspection tour of the affected areas, in company of the state commissioner for Environment, Hon. Oyeniyi Oseni and the special adviser to the governor on Infrastructure, Works and Housing, Pastor Ayo Babalola, warned people constructing buildings in contravention of the state building laws, that such buildings would not be spared by the demolition team of the government.
He expressed deep concern on the havoc wrecked in some areas in the city, such as, Funbi Fagun, Itanla, Yaba and Oke Odunwo among others, saying that the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development would no longer tolerate construction of building without approval by the state government.
He said, “our Ministry is mainly concerned about those who built without approval on the water ways, water banks, without observing the statutory minimum setback of 30 meters”, noting that building on water ways and river banks constituted the major reason for the flooding in Ondo city.
The commissioner posited that his Ministry would no longer allow few individuals to endanger the livelihood of others by their careless and lawless activities, hence buildings and structures identified to pose danger to the community would be demolished to prevent future occurrence for people to live in peace.