The Edo State Government on Tuesday demolished illegal stalls, eave extensions, and caravans built under a 132kV high-tension power line in Egor Market, Benin City, following a fire outbreak on the overhead line.
The exercise, carried out by the Edo State Development and Building Control Agency (ESDBCA), targeted structures located directly within the power line’s right-of-way in the market and its environs.
As bulldozers moved in, traders and onlookers scrambled to salvage their goods while officials pulled down the affected structures. The atmosphere was tense, with some stall owners seen crying and complaining that they were not given enough time to evacuate, while others commended the government for acting to prevent future disasters.
Speaking to journalists after the demolition, the Managing Director of ESDBCA, Darlington Igabali, said the traders had been adequately notified before the exercise, adding “We are executing the directive for the immediate evacuation of all illegal structures and activities along the power line right-of-way,” Igabali said.
He noted that many traders had already removed a substantial part of their structures before officials arrived, making the exercise easier for his team.
“The demolished stalls belonged to traders who refused to comply with earlier directives. No goods were destroyed during the exercise. We gave them time to remove all that belonged to them. We made it humanly possible for them to do so before the demolition,” he added.
A trader, Mrs. Grace Odion, commended the government for the action, describing it as necessary to save lives.
“It is painful to lose a shop, but if we don’t do this, the fire will kill people. Government did the right thing,” she said.
