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The Oyo State Government on Thursday demolished five shops and roadside pubs for violating environmental laws and building regulations.
A filling station at Orita Challenge in Ibadan was also sealed for accommodating a filthy drainage lane which environmental officers said exposed residents to environmemtal hazards.
According to the Director of Engineering and Beautification, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Engr. Moshood Adeola, “the disobedience of the shop owners to vacate the premises, being a set back for the road led to this demolition”.
He said the occupants refused to vacate the illegal and environmental offensive structures despite the abatement notices served on them for more than six months.
He said “their offenses range from noise and air pollution, evidence of open defecation accommodating illicit drug users within the environment.
He regretted that “despite the effort of Oyo State government in maintaining a suitable and sustainable environment for all and sundry some people still go ahead engaging in street trading and non adherence to environmental laws.
“It is on record that this administration will not renounce its stance of zero tolerance on environmental disorderliness”
He reiterated that as soon as the state mobile court is established, anyone caught violating the environmental laws or causing environmental nuisance would be punished accordingly and immediately on being arrested.
“We call on those violating environmental laws or constituting nuisance to the environment to desist from the act else they would face the wrath of the government. The moment State mobile courts go into operation, it will be instant judgement for violators.”