The Edo State Government has demolished illegal stalls, caravans, and extended structures built beneath a 132kV high-tension electricity line at Egor Market in Benin City, following a recent fire outbreak on the overhead power line.
The demolition exercise, carried out on Tuesday by the Edo State Development and Building Control Agency (ESDBCA), focused on structures occupying the designated right-of-way beneath the transmission line in and around the market.
As demolition equipment moved into the area, traders hurried to remove their goods while officials dismantled the affected structures. The operation sparked mixed reactions, with some traders expressing frustration over the loss of their shops, while others supported the government’s decision, describing it as necessary for public safety.
Speaking after the exercise, ESDBCA Managing Director Darlington Igabali said the operation was in line with the government’s directive to clear all illegal developments beneath the power lines.
According to him, the agency had issued several warnings before the demolition, allowing traders sufficient time to remove their belongings.
Igabali explained that many traders had already complied with the directive before the agency arrived, making the exercise less difficult. He added that no goods were destroyed because officials ensured owners had enough time to evacuate their property before the demolition commenced.
Some of the affected traders acknowledged receiving advance notice from the government. Lisa Iredia said they were given a seven-day notice, noting that many traders complied by dismantling their structures ahead of the exercise.
Another trader, Grace Odion, defended the government’s action, saying although losing a shop was painful, preventing a potential tragedy was more important.
However, one of the affected traders appealed to the state government to provide support after losing her business premises during the demolition.
The enforcement exercise followed a fire outbreak on the 132kV transmission line, which heightened concerns over the dangers posed by illegal structures beneath high-tension power installations.
Authorities stressed that building within the power line’s right-of-way breaches safety regulations and exposes traders, customers, and residents to risks such as electrocution and fire outbreaks.
The ESDBCA reaffirmed that power line corridors must remain free of obstructions and warned that similar enforcement operations would be extended to other markets across the state where illegal structures exist beneath high-tension electricity lines.
The agency also urged traders to comply with building regulations and avoid erecting stalls in restricted areas to safeguard lives and property.