Ondo residents call out while Governor Aiyedatiwa marks 156 houses for demolition in Akure

The movement of the governor caused the fear of mass expansion and alleged land grabbing. Panic and anger broke out in Akure, the Ondo State Capital, as the state government under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa began to demolish more than 150 homes occupied by civil servants. The movement of the governor caused the fear of mass expansion and alleged land grabbing. Saharan Porters collected that 156 houses built by the government in phases 1, 2 and 3 of the popular public service quarters in Alagbaka were marked for demolition, and the state government handed over the residents’ eviction letters. The quarters, originally built during the administration of the late Governor Adecunple Ajasin, were aimed at providing affordable accommodation for Ondo state officials, many of which lived in the buildings for more than a decade. One of the residents involved spoke to Saharan Porters and described the government’s plan as an act of betrayal. “We have phase 1, 2, 3 with 156 houses, excluding government offices in the quarters. It was built by Papa Voecunle Ajasin,” the resident said. “His goal was to resolve the issue of lack of accommodation for civil servants. The houses are occupied by government workers. Some people have been as long as 15 years. The government is our landlord, and we pay monthly, depending on the size of the apartment.” ‘But now the same government is trying to demolish all these houses. They want to make 156 families homeless. These are people who use their sweat to serve the government, ‘he mourns. ‘All quarters are marked for demolition, and the residents are about to be shot. We issued a letter about this, ‘he added. Another source familiar with the development told Saharan Porters that the demolition is part of a larger land grab plot by powerful government officials who regard the prime country in Alagbaka as a gold mine. “The SSA to the governor on infrastructure is the one who leads it,” the source said. “You know that the agreement is that they demolish these buildings and then sell the land to themselves.” “Alagbaka is a warm place, the center of attraction in Akure. Countries are very expensive there. All areas have been purchased by the highest and powerful, so the remaining places. Now they want to force us to turn it into luxury property,” the source said. Saharan Porters have learned that the government has begun to issue notices to residents without offering alternative housing or compensation, despite years of rent and rent in government coffers. Public servants affected by the planned demolition have promised to resist what they call an ‘unjust, anti-people movement’. They accused Governor Aiyedatiwa of destroying the legacy of Adrekunle Ajasin, which they believe “respected the value of public service and well -being of the worker.” ‘This place was not built for the rich. It was built for workers by one of the best governors who have ever had. Now his legacy for profit is torn, ‘said a resident. ‘Let Governor Aiyedatiwa know that we are not stickers. We pay rent. If they try to throw us out like criminals, there will be resistance. ‘ Saharan Porters have learned that various unions and labor groups within the Ondo State Service are already mobilizing for mass action to stop the demolition.