Ado-Ekiti — Economic activities were yesterday paralysed around the Old Garage/Okeyinmi/Ojumose areas of Ado-Ekiti as government began demolition of structures to dualize a road.

Riot policemen and an armoured personnel carrier were deployed to the area to ensure a hitch free exercise. It was gathered that the exercise is aimed at dualizing the road in the area, which is always chaotic during peak period. The government had in April this year paid compensation to all owners of houses that would be demolished, and directed those whose shops were demolished to go to the Agric Olope area of the metropolis for allocation of lock-up shops.

Speaking to journalists, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Internal Security, Mr Deji Adesokan, who supervised the exercise, said the deployment of security men in the area was to forestall breakdown of law and order.

He, however, maintained that there was no ill-feelings among the victims since the state government had already paid compensation for the demolished property.

The project, which is being undertaken under the urban renewal programme of Governor Kayode Fayemi-led administration commenced late last year with the removal of illegal structures situated 13 metres from the edge of the road.