Edo Govt clears illegal structures beneath high-tension power line at Egor Market

Kingsley Ohens reporting for Urbanscoopnews

Benin City, Edo State – The Edo State Government on Tuesday commenced the demolition of illegal structures, eave extensions, caravans and makeshift stalls erected beneath a 132kV high-tension electricity transmission line at Egor Market in Benin City, citing public safety concerns following a recent fire outbreak along the power infrastructure.

The exercise, carried out by the Edo State Development and Building Control Agency (ESDBCA), targeted structures built within the power line right-of-way in and around the market, as part of efforts to safeguard lives and critical public infrastructure.

The operation witnessed heightened emotions as traders and shop owners hurriedly removed their goods while demolition equipment pulled down the affected structures. While some traders expressed frustration over the timing of the exercise, others described the government’s intervention as necessary to avert potential disasters.

Speaking with journalists after supervising the exercise, the Managing Director of the Edo State Development and Building Control Agency, Mr. Darlington Igabali, said the demolition was in compliance with a government directive ordering the immediate evacuation of all illegal developments encroaching on the high-tension power corridor.

According to him, extensive notices had been issued to affected traders ahead of the exercise, giving them sufficient time to remove their belongings and dismantle the illegal structures voluntarily.

“We are executing the directive for the immediate evacuation of all illegal structures and activities along the power line right-of-way. The affected traders cooperated significantly by removing a substantial part of their structures before our arrival,” Igabali said.

He further explained that only structures belonging to traders who failed to fully comply with the government’s directives were demolished, maintaining that the agency ensured no traders’ goods were destroyed during the operation.

“We gave them ample time to evacuate their property and made the process as humane as possible before carrying out the demolition,” he added.

Reacting to the exercise, one of the affected traders, Ms. Lisa Iredia, confirmed that traders had received a seven-day notice before the demolition, noting that many complied by removing their structures ahead of the enforcement.

Another trader, Mrs. Grace Odion, described the government’s action as timely and necessary, stressing that clearing illegal structures from beneath high-tension electricity lines would help prevent accidents and protect lives and property.

The Edo State Government has consistently reiterated its commitment to enforcing building regulations and eliminating illegal developments that pose risks to public safety, particularly those located within designated utility corridors and other restricted areas.