Landlords and residents from four communities in Okoerin Ward of Ilorin West Local Government Area, Kwara State, have opposed the establishment of hotels and alcohol-selling establishments in their neighbourhood.

The affected communities Ifesowapo, Alalubarika, Osere, and Okoerin voiced their concerns following the ongoing construction of a hotel in the densely populated area.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the decision was reached during a security meeting convened by landlords and residents to address the growing trend of commercial development in the residential zone.

Alhaji Abdulwahab Opeloyeru, Chairman of Ifesowapo community and spokesperson for the group, disclosed the outcome on Monday in Ilorin.

He explained that the meeting was called in response to the new hotel project, which residents fear could compromise safety, increase noise pollution, and encourage antisocial behaviour, particularly through the proliferation of alcohol outlets.

The communities are urging relevant authorities to enforce land-use regulations and prevent the conversion of residential areas into commercial hubs without proper consultation.

According to him, the establishment of hotels and alcoholic joints in the area is a security risk that can affect the morale of young people in the community.

"Establishing a hotel in this area will escalate cause social vices as well as disturb the existing peace and harmony in the communities.

"So in view of the security risk, establishing a hotel, beer parlour, or alcoholic joint is not acceptable in this environment.

"Landlords and residents of the four communities in this area are unanimously opposed to the construction of the ongoing hotel and have invited the owner and expressed our displeasure."

Opeloyeru also told NAN that the communities had alerted the State Police Command and the State Town Planning Authority on the matter, adding that this was with a view to allow for continuous peace to prevail in the area.

(NAN)