Benue begins demolition of 500 illegal structures

The Benue State Urban Development Board has commenced the demolition of over 500 illegal structures within Makurdi metropolis so as to return the state capital to its original master plan.

General Manager of the board, Saint Gbilekaa Abrahams, in an interview with a section of newsmen in Makurdi, said that already 20 of such structures marked for demolishing had been pulled down.

Abrahams said those illegal structures demolished or marked to be pulled down contravened the board's town planning laws, as they were either built on water channels or under electrical high tension.

He noted that the task force on the demolition exercise under his watch had carried out exercises in Wurukum, old railway bridge road, New Garage and New G.R.A. all in Makurdi amongst others.

He said that instead of embarking on the monthly exercise as it used to be, the board now does so weekly to enable it quickly remove the illegal structures which had become an eyesore.

The General Manager further disclosed that the exercise became imperative occasioned by the expiration of notices earlier served on illegal developers in the state as he added that the contraventions by the developers, included erecting unapproved structures and buildings on the streets.

Abarahams explained that, roof extensions, structures erected on the right of way of roads or Transmission Company of Nigeria's high tension lines, all attachments on fences, caravans, kiosks and wooden sheds built all over the state capital were illegal and would not be spared in the demolition exercise.

He therefore urged all illegal developers to demolish or remove their illegal structures and reinstate the land to its original shape, warning members of the public as well, especially illegal developers that would fail to comply with the directives to desist from such act.