Demolition: Olorunsogo Traders, Artisans Protest Over Kwara Govt Evacuation Notice
By Omowumi Omotosho and Bamidele Aremu
Traders and artisans at Olorunsogo – Gaa Odota road in Ilorin, the capital city of Kwara state on Saturday, protested over removal notice served to them on Friday by the Kwara State Government Geographic Information Service through the Directorate of Physical Planning and Development Control.
The notice which was dated 1st November, 2024 and signed by Kareem Mashood on behalf of physical planning and development control reads:” Sequel to the National policy that all the shops, shanty structures as well the extension on the setback on the road and under high tension should be clean-up/ removal.
“In view of this, I am directed to inform you that to remove all the illegal structures, Kiosk and extension been marked via Olorunsogo Road to Gaa Odota road within 2 hours of this notice.”
However, the traders led by Chief Stephen Olateju trooped out in large number holding leaves as a symbol of their protest and frustration about the removal notice.
The protesting traders and artisans who claimed that they have being on the land for over three decades after the famous Nigerian business magnate, Mike Adenuga gave them free access to the property, lamented that the agency failed to give them enough time to move their wares and structures to another location. They also asserted that they are not under high tension wire nor trespass over government setback.
Speaking to National Pilot on Saturday, Chief Stephen Olateju who lead the traders and artisans said: “ I have been engaging in legal business on this land for over 30 years. This land was given to us by Mike Adenuga free of charge. All the traders in this place have legitimate businesses, no form of illegal activity like smoking and trading of illicit drugs. So, we are suprised this whole thing is happening.
“According to the letter, the people affected are those under high tension wire and government setback but to our surprise, they extended the removal notice to people that are not on roadside. We are not fighting the government, we are pleading that the government should review the removal notice, we do not have other place to go. The economy is already hard, they should not make things hard for us again”
Also, a female trader who is also a widow, Mrs. Saratu Yusuf, lamented: “the agency invaded the our premises issuing a two hours removal notice. As I am, I specificalise in iron scrap buying and selling. My body system was disorganised upon receiving the 2hrs removal notice. I lost all my goods yesterday, I was revived at the Cottage hospital opposite us. This is my only source of income, my husband is dead, I takecare of my children through my business which is now gone”
For months, the Kwara state government has been embarking on controversial demolition exercises and the masses has been at the receiving end of the whole process.
National Pilot recall that in October, the Kwara state government carried out an overnight demolition exercise at Crystal Palace complex on Sulu-Gambari road after giving the occupats 3-hours eviction notice. Crystal Place complex was owned by Honorable Moshood Mustapha, a Kwara APC Chieftain, the demolition exercise at Moshood’s Crystal Place complex generated series of political theatrics as many analysts connected it to the political rift between governor Abdulrazaq and Moshood Mustapha.
Also, in October, the demolition exercise extended to Egbejila-Asa Dam axis, as the trader were given 48-hrs evacuation notice by the KW-GIS. This brought traders along the area into pressure as many lamented that it will not be easy for them to relocate after spending many decades in the area.
As the demolition continues, the traders and artisans at Olorunsogo-Gaa Odota road are seeking intervention from local authorities, hoping to overturn the notice and preserve their businesses.
