Ouagadougou: The National Office for the Control of Development and Construction (ONC-AC) continued its awareness-raising campaign in the Larl© and Hamdalaye neighborhoods on Thursday, May 22, 2025, focusing on the illegal occupation of stores built on residential plots.
According to Burkina Information Agency, this initiative was led by the director general of ONC-AC, Yacouba Siko, who described it as a "shock operation" combined with efforts to raise awareness about the issues surrounding the unauthorized urban transformations in these areas. Mr. Siko emphasized that the illegally constructed shops pose potential security risks to the community.
The director general highlighted the potential dangers associated with these illegal structures, noting that they could house various goods and might be used by individuals with malicious intent. He further warned that such sites could be prone to explosions, thereby threatening national security.
Mr. Siko announced that after the awareness phase, formal notices would be issued to the occupants of illegal stores, requiring them to adhere to regulations. He warned that non-compliance would lead to a demolition phase, asserting that the authority is prepared to take necessary actions.
During the campaign, Mr. Siko reiterated the importance of the initiative to the local community. Ousmane Ou©draogo, spokesperson for the Larl© inter-zone anti-shop brigade association, expressed support for the campaign, urging the authorities to follow through with concrete actions. He emphasized that demolishing these illegal shops would demonstrate that no one, regardless of their influence, can act with impunity.