Edo State Govt Releases Details of Buildings to Be Demolished Soon in Edo State
The Edo State Government has announced that it will soon begin the demolition of private and commercial buildings constructed along flood-prone water channels in Benin City, in a renewed effort to curb the city’s persistent flooding crisis.
Governor Monday Okpebholo made this known through a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, confirming that affected structures include those built illegally on waterways and natural flood paths, particularly in the Government Reservation Areas (GRAs) and other high-risk zones across the state capital.
According to the government, the demolitions will clear the way for the construction of both surface and underground drainage systems, forming a critical part of the administration’s long-term flood mitigation strategy.
The governor assured that individuals with proper documentation for their properties will be compensated accordingly, while owners of unapproved or encroaching structures will be relocated to safer areas. A comprehensive list of the targeted buildings, based on environmental assessment reports, is expected to be made public in the coming days.
Governor Okpebholo emphasized that the state is adopting a data-driven approach and would rely on the expertise of a newly inaugurated team of environmental and hydrology experts. The team, made up of four specialist firms, has been mandated to assess flood patterns and study existing drainage deficiencies using real-time data from the current rainy season.
The governor stated that the flood control model would draw insights from successful interventions previously executed in Akwa Ibom and Rivers States under the leadership of former governors Godswill Akpabio and Nyesom Wike, respectively.
“This is not a cosmetic project. It will not be politicised. We are guided by data, case studies, and proven practices,” the governor said. He also criticized past administrations for mismanaging erosion control funds, promising transparency and accountability going forward.
The government reiterated that there will be zero tolerance for corruption in the execution of this project, adding that all allocated funds will be accounted for. Residents and stakeholders were urged to cooperate with officials and technical teams involved in the initiative.
“This marks the beginning of a serious commitment to ending seasonal flooding in Edo State,” the statement concluded.
The full list of buildings marked for demolition is expected to be released officially in the next update from the state’s Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
