The Edo State Ministry of Physical Planning, Housing, Urban and Regional Development has sealed the construction site of new stalls at the Nigeria Police Officers’ Mess along the Ikpokpan Road, Benin City, for failing to provide approval for the project.
The Director of Physical Planning and Development Control, Mr. Enabulele Henry, who led the enforcement team to the site, said the building contravened extant building laws in the state.
“The siting of buildings in any part of the state is controlled by us. We have been following up on the development for some time. When they started this work, we went to the site and stopped them on December 6.
“They are distorting the plan of the GRA. Also, this is government land, which was allocated to the police, where their officers can relax. They are converting into a commercial property and the increased activity is going to generate traffic in the area.
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He said government is poised to control the traffic flow in the area but such a project would impact negatively in the area, and the purpose of the traffic management initiative would be defeated.
“They came to our office and we asked them to provide their approval before they could do anything. They said they have heard and would revert. But during the public holiday, they went back and started work, even at night. They started another one as well. We have now come out to say they can’t continue”.
He said government has put in place the Benin City Masterplan and the Edo State Regional Development to manage development in the state so that people don’t build indiscriminately, urging the people to abide by the laws in the land.
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