The Oyo State Government has commenced the removal of illegal structures and shanties blocking water ways in Felele, Ibadan, the capital city of the state.
The demolition exercise which started on Monday afternoon affected the popular Pythagoras Grill and Bar located at the entrance of Oba Abimbola Street in Felele, Challenge Area of Ibadan.
The demolition exercise followed the expiration of several contravention notices served on the owner of the lounge which was ignored.
Speaking with PMParrot correspondents at the scene of the demolition, a motorcyclist who preferred to be anonymous stated that the lounge was erected on the water way which has generated flooding in the area.
He stated that the government issued several warnings which were rebuffed stating that the government should not be blamed for the action.
“The building’s owner built the lounge on the waterway and when government officials came here to investigate, we told them the truth about the flooding. The demolition exercise should have been carried out when the challenge junction was undergoing rehabilitation.
Our respondent continued “You can see The Baptist Church beside the Bar, the leaders of the church decided to obey the directive of the government and that is why the demolition exercise is not affecting them’’.
In a rather dramatic twist, a resident of the area who also preferred to be anonymous informed PMParrot that he was saddened by the demolition exercise stating that he always makes extra cash controlling vehicles during the weekends at the lounge to make ends meet.
Efforts to speak with the owners of the lounge proved abortive as they were not willing to speak with the press as at the time of filing this report.
Packaged by Dare Raji and Kunle Ogunsola
