Women Town Planners In Oyo Take Sensitization To Apete, Gege Markets
...Caution Against Illegal Structures, Indiscriminate Refuse Disposal
In an effort to preventing avoidable tragedies that may occur as a result of illegal construction of structures along river setbacks, under power line, as well as, indiscriminate dumping of refuse, women town planners in Oyo state have taken sensitization to Apete and Gege markets in Ibadan.
The women under the aegis of Association of Women Town Planners, in collaboration with the state ministry of lands, also used the occasion to sensitize residents in the state on the dangers of building without getting planning approval.
Addressing traders at the markets, the association’s chairperson, Dr Olaide Oladiran said children and women are most affected by the consequences of not following environmental procedures and standard, which included loss of lives and property.
Dr. Oladiran said any building without approval was illegal and owners of such buildings would not be compensated in cases of eventualities.
While appealing to residents to approach any town planning office in the thirty-three local government areas of the state, Dr Oladiran said a 45 meters setback to rivers must be observed and a minimum of 30 metres from boundary setback to 330KV power lines.
She said “so visit a zonal town planning office in your environment in line with your intentions to build, submit your building plans to them and they will grant approval accordingly. The essence of the sensitization is to raise awareness on the need to get approval before building, We as an association don’t assume people know already.”
‘We’re informing them on the dangers in not getting approval, danger in building under power lines and building along the river or stream’s setbacks.”
In their separate remarks, the babaloja of Apete market, Mr Idowu Muyiwa, and the Afobaje of Gege market, Alhaji Dauda Ajadi commended the women town planners in Oyo state for their commitment to make positive change in the state.
The market leaders, however, appealed to the state government to provide metal refuse bin for the markets, to aid proper disposal of wastes.
