Demolition: Ilorin Business Owners Face Displacement Amid Unclear Compensation Promises
By Omowumi Omotosho and Bamidele Aremu
Business owners along Kwara State Internal Revenue Service, Ahmadu Bello Ways, Ilorin, the capital city of Kwara State, have expressed dismay over a quit notice issued by the Kwara State Geographic Information Service directing them to vacate their spaces within seven days.
The notice, signed by Kareem Mashood and dated November 14, 2024 reads: ” Sequel to the previous notice directing you to vacate your shops, You are by this notice issued a final 7 days’ notice with which you are expected to vacate the premises. Piease, treat with dispatch.”
National Pilot recalls that in May 2024, business owners along the Ahmadu Bello Way and environs were directed by the Kwara State government to dismantle their shop extensions, a process that led to the demolition of over 150 shops and crippled many businesses.
During a visit to the affected areas on Saturday, National Pilot observed that the same business owners that were directed in May to dismantle their shop extensions have been served a final notice since last Thursday to vacate their spaces with seven days.
Francis Eboh, who specialises in sales of sports equipment while speaking with National Pilot lamented: “We are devastated by the notice, I will have to find another place to start again. The government promised to compensate us, but we have yet to receive any informstion on when or how this will happen.”
Also, Joshua Oloke, the owner of the famous Joe barbing saloon, shared his plight: ” I have invested all my life savings in this shop, over ₦7 Million in the last two years, and now the government is asking us to leave.
“We are imploring the government to reconsider their decision and give us more time to relocate our businesses. We are not asking for much, just a little more time, ” Oloke said.
However, another affected business owner who spoke under the condition of anonymity, disclosed that the kwara government plan is to fence the area after the business owners had vacated the spaces.
The quit notice has sparked widespread concern and uncertainty within the community. Shop owners fear losing their loyal customer base and facing difficulties in finding new rental spaces.
For now, the affected business owners and their employees are left in limbo, uncertain about their future and hoping for a last-minute reprieve from the government.
