By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Oyo State House of Assembly has urged the Governor Seyi Makinde led administration in the state to take proactive and decisive steps towards addressing the menace of land grabbing and encroachment of lands in public schools across the state.
The call was contained in a motion moved by the lawmaker representing Oluyole state constituency, Waheed Akintayo.
Presenting the motion, Hon. Akintayo observed the disheartening situation of some government schools’ premises which are surrounded with indiscriminate erection of kiosks, making the environment unconducive for teaching and learning activities.
“It is disheartening to state that virtually all public schools lands in the state had been encroached upon by some unscrupulous individuals leaving the schools environment not conducive for learning.
“Government over the years has paid lip service to the issue of encroachment of landed properties. Most of these schools have been so bastardized to the extent that the proliferation of illegal structures be it residential or commercial have taken three quarter or half possession of some public schools ‘lands in the state”, he noted.
The House however enjoined the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, The State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM ), State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to collaborate with the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development and Office of Surveyor – General to set up inter – ministerial committee and look into the original master plans or designs of some of the encroached public schools lands and others with a view to erecting perimeter fencing, beacons or corner piece.
In addition, the House also directed the state Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development to expedite action in clearing of shops and kiosk around the public schools premises across the state.
