In continuation of efforts to develop the slum at Atikankan area in Ado Ekiti to a conducive environment befitting a Central Business District, the Ekiti State Government has given illegal squatters as well as owners of unauthorized kiosk and Road side hawkers until Monday, 27th of January, 2025 to evacuate the area or be forced to do so.
Decrying the return of hoodlums, squatters, street-traders as well as erection of makeshift shops and containers after its acquisition and payment of compensation to the land owners in the area, the State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, in a statement made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti warned that a task force comprising government officials and security operatives would commence removal of the shanties and dislodge the illegal unlawful residents in the area on the said date.
Olatunbosun stressed that the State Government’s intention is to give the Central Business District a facelift and address the inherent challenges bedeviling the area, noting that the entire area was swampy and hitherto unfit for human habitation as well as a source of security concern.
According to him, the State Government’s focus is to clean up the slum and upgrade the land so that the area could be used to boost business activities in the State, improve environmental health in the area and generate revenue for the State.
He emphasized that the State Government has also provided enough shops and space at Agric Olope, Oja Oba and Awedele amongst others that can accommodate those affected by the relocation.
The Commissioner highlighted areas of concentration for clean-up by the task-force and enforce prohibition of street trading and illegal occupancy to include Ereguru to Aremu to Oke Ori Omi, Oke Ori Omi – Isato Oke, Isato Oke – through Isato Isale – Atikankan round-about, Atikankan round-about to Igbeyin, Igbeyin to Ereguru, Atikankan round-about to Ilawe Road Junction, Atikankan round-about to Ijigbo, Atikankan /Ilawe Road junction to Mushin /Ilawe Road junction and Mushin to Atikankan round-about.
He warned that “owners of the marked containers, umbrellas and other temporary structures are to remove them before Monday, 27th of January, 2025, when total clearance of the areas mentioned will commence”.
“Public Pay and Display Parking System” will be introduced for ease of pedestrian and vehicular traffic along these routes. Some of our unemployed people around these routes will be employed as a “Uniformed Parking Toll Collectors to give them a decent means of livelihood.”
