Yei River State authorities demolish “destructive” lodges
June 06, 2016 (YEI) – Authorities in Yei municipality have started demolition campaign against “immoral and destructive” lodges as well as illegal occupants of school lands in the town.
Two substandard lodges “Anika and Safari lodges” close to Jigomoni Primary school inside the town have been demolished on Saturday. Houses and business premises constructed at the school land were among the list to be demolished by the government as well.
Yei town Mayor, Cosmas Bidali Wori-Kojo, told journalists that the exercise will continue to other areas within the municipality.
“We have started with Jigomoni and we are going to the remaining schools and this is a message to the rest of the people that any person with a house or a shop in a school land should evacuate because we are still going on with this move,” he said.
Mayor Bidali however added that the government will not be responsible for compensation of any property destroyed during the exercise.
“We have informed them earlier enough and secondly it’s not lawful for you to stay in a school land. We want the school lands to be safe to provide a good learning environment to the learners and even the teachers,” said Bidali.
Meanwhile, Richard Towongo, an owner of Anika lodge whose building was brought down in the demolition exercise expressed disappointment to the reporters.
“What the Government has done is like am not a citizen of this country. We are in economic crisis why can’t the Government wait up to November or December for us to relocate. We got the money under difficult conditions and today it’s being destroyed in just one day,” said Towongo.
He explained that the business he had been surviving on for a long time since 2003 will drastically affect his family.
“Where can I feed my family? Lodges can be controlled by the government. If there is under-age or prostitution in the lodge it is not my responsibility, it’s the responsibility of the government to tackle the issue. All my buildings including iron sheets have been demolished and now I am senseless with no alternative to start another business,” he added.
An area resident who prefers not to be named said she welcomed the move taken by the government to destroy lodges and residents operating and occupying public lands.
“I really need to thank the Mayor for the step they have taken to destroy all illegal and immoral shelters affecting our children. If we don’t take care of the children then there is no future tomorrow. Am really very happy I have been around this area and today I believe this place will be safe for both the children and the area residents,” she added.
(ST)