The Oyo State Government has clarified its role regarding the ongoing demolition of structures along the Ojoo-Akinyele Interchange, stating that the exercise is being carried out in line with directives from the Federal Ministry of Works concerning the enforcement of Right of Way (ROW) regulations on federal roads.
In a statement issued by the Oyo State Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Commissioner Professor Dahud Kehinde Shangodoyin stressed that the interchange falls within the federally protected corridor.
According to him, the demolitions are not being orchestrated by the state government, but are consistent with federal rules prohibiting construction within 45.72 meters of a federal road’s centerline, as outlined in the Federal Highway Act, Cap 135.
“The Federal Ministry of Works has long expressed concern about unauthorized development on the Right of Way of federal roads, a public notice was issued in March 2020 warning citizens to refrain from erecting illegal structures within these zones.” the statement read.
Professor Shangodoyin emphasized that while Oyo State received presidential approval to reconstruct the Ojoo–Moniya–Akinyele road, it does not have the authority to alter regulations surrounding the federally owned road.
“No new structure is permitted within the Federal Road ROW without explicit approval from the Honourable Minister of Works,” the Ministry reiterated.
The statement read: “The Federal Ministry of Works, over the years has been concerned on the development of structures, within the Right-of-Way (ROW) of Federal Roads and Bridges across Nigeria.
“For avoidance of doubt, the Right-of-Way is the space on both sides of Federal roads covering 45.72m on either side of the road’s centerline as enshrined in the Federal Highway Act, CAP 135.
“Due to this undesirable trend, the Federal Ministry of Works had issued a public notice on Friday, March 13, 2020 in THISDAY Newspaper to warn the general public to desist from developing illegal structures within the Right – of – Way of Federal roads.
“Consequent upon the above, no structure whatsoever is expected to spring up within the Federal Road ROW, and it is for this reason that even the Oyo State Government had to request for approval to reconstruct Ojoo Interchange – Moniya – Akinyele Interchange from the Federal Government and the approval was given by His Excellency, the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Flowing from above, it is not expected that any structure will develop within the Federal ROW without the approval of the Honourable Minister of Works who is vested with the powers for the management, direction and control of Federal highways throughout Nigeria.
“For further enquires, any concerned member of the general public is advised to liaise with Federal Ministry of Works through the Federal Controller of Works, Oyo State Field Headquarters.”
