Taraba State Commissioner for Ruler and Urban Development, Hon. Peter Julius, on Tuesday said the ongoing demolition of illegal shanties (Tents), on the streets of Jalingo is to redesign the state capital.
Mr. Julius disclosed to journalists during the exercise that the development was Governor Agbu Kefas’ deliberate move to redesign Jalingo, give the state capital a modern outlook to meet the urban development standard.
According to the commissioner, governor Kefas through his ministry, was conscious of the hard time business owners may suffer and had given a one-year vacation notice before carrying out the exercise.
He noted that after the first notice, the ministry also went out and issued fresh notices three consecutive times before the action.
“Our action on the illegal shanties on the streets of Jalingo is to redesign the state capital. The action is Governor Kefas’ deliberate move to redesign Jalingo, give the state capital a befitting outlook.
“The state government has a plan to build corner shops in line with the urban development master plan, remove all illegal spots that are usually saved as mini markets for illicit drug takers.
“As a government that is conscious of the people’s wellbeing, governor Kefas desire to at all times, implement policies that will be favourable without negative impact on the citizens.
“Before this exercise, we had given a one-year notice of vacation to the business owners. After the first notice, we also went round to issue fresh notices three consecutive times before our action today.
“The government motive is to also have an orderly environment for business operation. We want to get the register of genuine business owners in an approve government locations to also help avert criminality and other illegal acts in such spots,” the commissioner explained.
The commissioner debunked the claims by some persons who claimed to be owners of the demolished shanties that the ministry did not issue vacation notices, and that the team was demanding money from shop owners to be favoured.
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