By Dayo Johnson

Akure — THE opposition All Progressive Congress, APC, in Ondo State, yesterday, condemned the Ondo State government over demolition of containers used as shops by traders in Akure, the state capital, last weekend.

But the state government in a swift reaction said the structures demolished were illegal. It pointed out that the demolition was done after the owners were given an ultimatum to remove them but failed.

A statement by the party’s Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, in  Akure accused officials of the Physical and Urban Development  ministry of looting the containers that were demolished.

This demolition exercise, according to the party, “took place along Kajola junction, Oda Road, Akure and was said to have been carried out at midnight of Saturday/Sunday by the officials of the ministry.

“The actions of the state Ministry of Physical and Urban Development was nothing but a callous one targeted to ostracise these traders out of business and pave the way for the Shoprite Mall being promoted by the Ondo State Government.

“It is appalling that the government has since not made any statement on these illegal and inhuman demolitions carried out in a gangster manner at midnight on private property by the officials of the ministry.

“This callous action of the Ondo State Government was most unfortunate and one meant to further increase the hardship currently being faced by the people in the state.

“We condemn outrightly the demolition of these containers and the subsequent looting of wares of these traders by the officials of the state ministry.”

Speaking on behalf of the ministry, it’s Press Officer, Banji Akadiri, denied any looting by officials of the ministry during the exercise, saying a long ultimatum to remove the illegal structures dotting the state capital was given before the exercise was carried out last weekend.