By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Illegal structures in the Akanran are of Ona-Ara Local government of Oyo State would be pulled down by the state government, the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr Williams Akin-Funmilayo, has said.

In a statement, the Commissioner said the properties would be demolished because they were built on government land, warning encroachers to vacate the area with immediate effect.

According to him, these structures have distorted the state’s master plan and must be pulled down.

He said the decision of the demolition by the government brings an end to the long-awaited realization of the proposed game village project, which has been in the pipeline since 25 years ago.

Mr Akin-Funmilayo explained further that most occupants and developers claiming ownership of the land have fake documents, adding that anyone who refuses to vacate the government land within the stipulated period will be forcefully evicted by law.

He called on residents of the state to visit the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development for any enquiry regarding land issues before purchasing any land.

In another development, the Oyo State Government has promised a partnership with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) for the speedy completion of the Ibadan Inland Dry Port project.

The Commissioner for Trades, Investment, Industry and Cooperatives, Mr Ademola Ojo, stated this while playing host to the management of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Southwest Zone, led by Mr Moses Fadipe in his office at the secretariat in Ibadan.

The Commissioner assured the council that the ministry would work assiduously to find solutions to anything that may hamper the project and give maximum support for the completion of the project.

He explained that when completed, the project will boost the State’s economy, adding that it is very important to the present administration.

“The state government is really interested in the completion of the project. We are assuring you of the support and cooperation of the Ministry and, more importantly, personally eager to see the first cargo being lifted from the dry port,” the Commissioner said.