The Bayelsa State Government has intensified its crackdown on illegal structures obstructing government rights-of-way across Yenagoa, the state capital.
The demolition exercise, carried out on Thursday by the Bayelsa State Physical Planning and Development Board, affected structures and building extensions along the Etegwe axis of the Mbiama-Yenagoa Road, Bay-Bridge Road and INEC Road in Kpansia.
Chairman of the board, Kuroakegha Dorgu, said the exercise was part of the state government’s urban renewal and physical development programme.
He explained that the agency was responsible for ensuring that construction activities complied with approved planning standards, government layouts and designated rights-of-way.
Dorgu said the enforcement was not solely focused on removing illegal structures, but was also intended to improve accessibility, safety and the overall appearance of Yenagoa.
According to him, the government wants to create a cleaner, safer and better-planned capital city by protecting public spaces from unauthorised development.
He urged property owners, developers, traders and residents to comply with physical planning regulations and avoid erecting structures or extending existing buildings onto government rights-of-way.
The board chairman added that the enforcement exercise and public sensitisation would continue across the metropolis as the state government pursues its urban development agenda.
