The Oyo State Ministry of Public Works and Transport has explained reason behind the demolition of structures on the Ojoo-Akinyele Interchange, saying that the exercise is in consonance with the Federal Ministry of Works’ position on the Right of Way (RoW) of federal roads and bridges across the country.
This is contrary to claims by many that the Oyo State Government was behind the exercise.
The Ministry, in a statement signed by Professor Dahud Kehinde Shangodoyin, said that the Ojoo-Akinyele Interchange falls within the Right of Way, adding that the Federal Ministry of Works had specifically warned the general public not to tamper with the Right of Way, covering 45.72 metres on either side of a federal road or bridge’s centerline as enshrined in the Federal Highway Act, Cap 135.
The Ministry of Works added that the controversy over the role being played by the Oyo Government should not have arisen, as the state government was only given an approval to construct the Ojoo-Akinyele interchange road and that the ownership of the road and all the extant rules about the Right of Way remained within the purview of the Federal Government.
It noted that the state government and the general public are bound by the Federal Government regulations on the project, including the one that prohibits erection of structures on the Right of Way.
It further stated that the demolition of illegal structures were in compliance with the rules.
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 45.72 metres 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 the 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.”
