The Edo State Government is set to commence the demolition of illegal structures erected on government property, including public schools and waterways in Benin City and other major settlements in the state.

The Commissioner of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Erimona Edorodion, announced this in a statement on Thursday.

The exercise will also affect roof eave-extensions and structures erected on the right of way of roads, moats, riverbanks, as well as buildings closed to high tension lines of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

Dr Edorodion explained that said the exercise became necessary to address the challenges of poor living and working environment and incessant cases of flooding in urban centres.

He said, “The exercise will involve development control activities to ensure that illegal structures which are poorly constructed and wrongly sited are demolished.

“It will also ensure that developments that are involved in the unlawful discharge of sewage and industrial wastes into our environment are sanctioned.”

“This is in accordance with the provisions of the State’s Extant Town Planning and Environmental Laws and Regulations and to ensure that our living and working environment is safe, healthy, convenient and aesthetically pleasing,” he added.

The commissioner asked developers to demolish or remove illegal structures and reinstate such land to its original status prior to the illegal construction.

He warned property owners and developers involved in the violation of the state’s environmental laws to desist from such practice.

Dr Edorodion said, “The relevant ministry shall enforce the provisions of the Extant Environmental and Town Planning Laws of the State, to control illegal development.

“The cost of such action shall be recovered from the violators in a law court of competent jurisdiction and they shall be prosecuted accordingly.”