It was a sad atmosphere in Makurdi town on Thursday, as phone repairers wept profusely over a surprised demolition of their shops by the Benue State Urban Development Board (BNUDB) across Makurdi town.
DAILY POST reports that the areas affected included Katsina-Ala, Vandeikya streets and Tito in Makurdi town.
While justifying their action, a member of the Demolition team, Mr Ajai Bernard said apart from giving Makurdi a more beautiful face befitting of a State Capital, the demolition also became necessary because of the danger posed by the containers built close to electric transformers, blockage of residential houses, increase in crime rate and creation of unnecessary traffic gridlock around the affected areas.
Bernard added that the owners of the illegal shops were warned prior to the latest demolition, reiterating the state government’s plan to get rid of all illegal structures in Makurdi before the end of the year.
Speaking on behalf of the affected GSM Repairers, Mr Patrick Akor lamented the unannounced demolition, saying it had sent many youths out of jobs which could cause more crimes.
It could be recalled that the Benue State Urban Development Board under the leadership of its Acting General Manager, Mr Ternongo Mede, began the demolition of illegal structures in the state capital in November 2023, with partial demolition of some structures along Katsina-Ala street.
It stated the bastardization of the beauty of the state capital and the nearness of the shops to electric transformers and other dangerous equipment as the reasons.