The Oyo state government has explained that its decision to demolish the Music House at Challenge, Ibadan, which houses Fresh FM 105.9, was not based on sentiments or any of the issues being insinuated. It said the radio station was not the only one affected by the state wide exercise.
The building located at Lagos bye pass, Challenge, belongs to popular musician and CEO of the station, Yinka Ayefele. It has been marked for demolition and the ultimatum given to its owners expires today, Wednesday August 15, 2018.
There are speculations that the station was being witch-hunted for airing strongs critisims against the state government. Insinuations had it that the station was being punished for airing a comment that Governor Abiola Ajimobi, was a part owner of the Central abattoir in Akinyele Local Givernment, the reason why all other abattoirs in the city were shut down and butchers forced to move to the new one.
But in a reaction by the state Commissioner for Information and Culture, Toye Arulogun, the state government said Fresh FM was only trying to whip up sentiments to escape the consequences of contravening planning laws and causing three fatal accidents in the last nine months.
In a short message to Newspeakonline, Arulogun said: “Fresh FM can attempt to whip up sentiments, four facts are basic:
1. The exercise is a state wide one. Not targeted at Fresh FM. U. I., UCH, Kola Daisi University, several banks(ATM extension) have been affected. All radio stations were written. A Local Government structure has been demolished.
2. The Music House building contravenes planning laws which they are not controverting.
3. From their statement which acknowledged that the matter is been on for over a year, it is evident that it bears no correlation with the falsehood on His Excellency’s ownership of shares in the Central abbatoir for which he has briefed his lawyers.
4. Music House has ocassioned three fatal accidents in the last 9 months on which Government has received petitions.
Rest assured Government will do the needful but not dignify or elevate the tantrums of Fresh FM. BPP has a job to do and up to the task.
The radio station’s Director of Corporate Affairs and Promotions, David Ajiboye had written on Facebook late on Tuesday that the demolition notice was issued because:
“(1) The staff canteen in the premises was not approved.
(2) The spiral staircase was not in the approved plan.
(3) The mast was not in the approved plan
(4) The fence was not in the approved plan”
Ajiboye also wrote that “….and therefore the entire N800 million edifice where almost 150 people make their daily bread have (sic) to go down. You are all invited to the demolition show at the Music House tomorrow”.
It would be recalled that a similar notice was issued in October 2012 but the matter was resolved between the agents of government and the owners of the structure.
