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By Ruona Agbroko
August 2, 2009 12:37AMT
Over four weeks after the Edo State government commenced the demolition of illegal structures across its capital, Benin City, varying quantities of wreckage still dot the city, posing aesthetic, environmental and health challenges to residents.
In particular, residents and traders who live or work on the Lagos-Benin-Ugbowo road, told NEXT on Sunday that they could not decide which was more of an eyesore: the former clutter of shops opposite the University of Benin's main gate [pictured], or the unsightly mounds of debris they have been reduced to, by government bulldozers.
"The story is the same everywhere," says Pedro Imiefoh, a banker. "These heaps are all around Benin City, with rain falling on them for weeks on end. Mr. Oshiomhole is demolishing without raising structures in place. In BDPA, main gate, they are leaving heaps of rubbish everywhere after demolishing. He is not going about things the right way." A fruit seller at the nearby Ekosodin junction, who refused to disclose her name, said the Edo State government could not be blamed entirely.
"How else will he satisfy Edo people? I know it is not nice to look at, but if these things are not here, the people may say he is not working," she said. "For instance, why else do you think the new police patrol vans the government bought were first driven in convoy all around the streets of Benin? It was to show the people he is doing something at least, because they don't have patience. Leave Oshiomhole alone. Edo people are the problem too."
Early into the state's demolition exercise, five members of the Edo State Inter-Ministerial Committee on Environment were reportedly dismissed for demanding bribes from owners of illegal structures. Mr. Oshiomhole has, also consistently said illegal structures built along all right-of-way in the state capital will be removed.
According to the governor, the demolition is in line with his government's commitment to the restoration of the Benin City master plan.
Clem Agba, the Commissioner for Environment and Public Utilities, said the attitude of the people is a challenge. "They don't care," he said. "Our people would rather trade on the streets than stay in the market. Most of our people have built all sorts of illegal structures on drains paths, on moats, compounding the problem of flooding in the state and that's why we have started removing all illegal structures, so we can have access to our drain channels and de-silt them."
Trading blames
However, Mrs. Faith Chukwuma, who owned one of the affected shops at the Uniben main gate, said even if hers was an illegal structure, the government officials gave the traders just three days notice and had provided her with no replacement or told her where to stay.
"Look how this place is smelling, my sister. When rain comes, or sunshine, we suffer it all. I had a big shop. The demolishing affected me. What I want is that they are supposed to tell us where we are to stay. I cannot go inside the market, this is where there is business," she said in smarting English, as her child played nearby on one of the rubbish heaps.
A barber, who simply identified himself as Mr. Desmond and also spoke in pidgin English, said; "my shop had been burnt beforehand. I was still trying to rebuild the place. Before we could pack anything, they destroyed everything. Before we could even pack our property outside, they destroyed everything. Now I am on the streets, now, Now I only work when customers call me. That is how I get my daily bread now."
In particular, residents and traders who live or work on the Lagos-Benin-Ugbowo road, told NEXT on Sunday that they could not decide which was more of an eyesore: the former clutter of shops opposite the University of Benin's main gate [pictured], or the unsightly mounds of debris they have been reduced to, by government bulldozers.
"The story is the same everywhere," says Pedro Imiefoh, a banker. "These heaps are all around Benin City, with rain falling on them for weeks on end. Mr. Oshiomhole is demolishing without raising structures in place. In BDPA, main gate, they are leaving heaps of rubbish everywhere after demolishing. He is not going about things the right way." A fruit seller at the nearby Ekosodin junction, who refused to disclose her name, said the Edo State government could not be blamed entirely.
"How else will he satisfy Edo people? I know it is not nice to look at, but if these things are not here, the people may say he is not working," she said. "For instance, why else do you think the new police patrol vans the government bought were first driven in convoy all around the streets of Benin? It was to show the people he is doing something at least, because they don't have patience. Leave Oshiomhole alone. Edo people are the problem too."
Early into the state's demolition exercise, five members of the Edo State Inter-Ministerial Committee on Environment were reportedly dismissed for demanding bribes from owners of illegal structures. Mr. Oshiomhole has, also consistently said illegal structures built along all right-of-way in the state capital will be removed.
According to the governor, the demolition is in line with his government's commitment to the restoration of the Benin City master plan.
Clem Agba, the Commissioner for Environment and Public Utilities, said the attitude of the people is a challenge. "They don't care," he said. "Our people would rather trade on the streets than stay in the market. Most of our people have built all sorts of illegal structures on drains paths, on moats, compounding the problem of flooding in the state and that's why we have started removing all illegal structures, so we can have access to our drain channels and de-silt them."
Trading blames
However, Mrs. Faith Chukwuma, who owned one of the affected shops at the Uniben main gate, said even if hers was an illegal structure, the government officials gave the traders just three days notice and had provided her with no replacement or told her where to stay.
"Look how this place is smelling, my sister. When rain comes, or sunshine, we suffer it all. I had a big shop. The demolishing affected me. What I want is that they are supposed to tell us where we are to stay. I cannot go inside the market, this is where there is business," she said in smarting English, as her child played nearby on one of the rubbish heaps.
A barber, who simply identified himself as Mr. Desmond and also spoke in pidgin English, said; "my shop had been burnt beforehand. I was still trying to rebuild the place. Before we could pack anything, they destroyed everything. Before we could even pack our property outside, they destroyed everything. Now I am on the streets, now, Now I only work when customers call me. That is how I get my daily bread now."
Mr. Desmond repeatedly reminded NEXT he voted for Mr. Oshiomhole in the 2007 elections.
"I used to feel this government is working, but with this demolition, I do not feel the government is for the masses or the poor, the way things are now. Things are tough," he said.
"I used to feel this government is working, but with this demolition, I do not feel the government is for the masses or the poor, the way things are now. Things are tough," he said.
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