The Oyo State Authorities on Wednesday introduced plans to take over some deserted buildings and properties that pose safety threat and function hideouts for criminals within the state.
It subsequently known as on the homeowners of such buildings to place them into use or threat being taken over by the federal government.
The state Commissioner for Lands, Housing, Analysis and City Improvement, William Akin-Funmilayo, gave the warning when he inspected The Fort Inn on Queen Elizabeth II Street, Complete Backyard-Gate Street in Ibadan, the state capital.
Akin-Funmilayo, who criticized the speed at which miscreants and hoodlums used deserted buildings as hideouts, mentioned homeowners of such buildings who refused to do the needful must be ready to forfeit them to the state.
He added that the federal government would correctly make the most of the constructions for the advantage of all residents of the state.
“I acquired data from the general public and safety companies that this deserted constructing poses a safety threat to this space and that criminals and thugs normally disguise there at evening. They take to the streets to take telephones, luggage and different valuables from passers-by. Furthermore, it has turn into a house for unlawful drug customers, the place they deal unlawful medication and smoke completely different sorts of issues.
“We’re right here to substantiate what we’ve got heard, what we’ve got seen and this place has been deserted for the final 10 to 13 years. We’re right here to make sure the security of the individuals dwelling on this surroundings. So we noticed with our personal eyes that it is a utterly deserted constructing. The federal government will work inside the scope of the regulation to take possession of the constructing to cease a risk.
“All of us bear in mind the unlucky incident that occurred at Bodija. Nobody believed one thing like this might occur there. If the proprietor now not needs the constructing, he should switch it to the federal government.
“The ultimatum we’ve got given is fast. As I’ve it, the proprietor should instantly furnish the constructing for what it’s meant for or she or he will lose it. The state authorities will take over the constructing to forestall any risk to the security of lives and properties of individuals dwelling on this space.
“If she or he remains to be within the constructing, she or he ought to begin utilizing it instantly. Nobody can predict what’s going to occur between now and tomorrow, so she or he should act instantly. Official correspondence is distributed to the constructing proprietor. She or he should use the constructing for its meant goal; if he refuses, the federal government will take it over and use it in one of the best curiosity of the individuals of the state.
“I will even cross this message on to different homeowners of deserted properties throughout the state. You probably have properties which have been deserted, use them for the first use for which they had been meant or the federal government will take them over. We can not permit buildings that aren’t occupied or maintained to be left with out authorities intervention.” He stood on it.
Earlier, the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, acquired an official report of the January 16, 2024 explosion at Previous Bodija in Ibadan, the state capital.
Nevertheless, the report states that three 'individuals of curiosity' have been recognized in reference to the reason for the unlucky incident, including that primarily based on the investigation performed, they’ll face the complete wrath of the regulation.
It is going to be recalled that 5 individuals had been killed, 77 others injured and 55 homes broken within the explosion that rocked Aderinola Road, Adeyi Avenue, Previous Bodija, Ibadan.
The report, which accommodates the findings of the medical, safety and technical groups, was offered to Makinde on Tuesday on the Govt Chamber, Governor's Workplace and Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
Shortly after the presentation of the report, the Particular Adviser on Safety to the Governor, Fatai Owoseni (Retd CP), informed journalists: “Three individuals of curiosity have been recognized in reference to the reason for the unlucky incident and they are going to be prosecuted . primarily based on the analysis performed.”
