The Edo State Government has sealed over 14 retail gas stations, as well as residential and commercial buildings in Uromi and Ekpoma, the administrative Headquarters of Esan North East and Esan West Local Government Areas of the state, over contravention of planning laws.
The exercise, which was carried out on Tuesday by a team from the Department of Development Control and Enforcement, Edo State Ministry of Physical Planning, Urban and Regional Development, was led by Henry Enabulele, Director of Development Control and Enforcement in the Ministry.
The affected structures are Graceland Hotel and Suites, Ogah Retail Gas Station, NA Godsco Retail Gas Station, Sweet Mother Furniture Showroom, Idogen Retail Gas Station, Homix Retail Gas station, proposed living Estate buildings and Rain Oil Retail Gas Station, among others.
Also served contravention notices were an unnamed Bakery along Ogboni Road; a building blocking the right of way at Uwenebo Street; Otailo Retail Gas Station; a palm oil factory; a welding factory, all in Uromi.
At Ekpoma, an ongoing lockup store along Ekpoma-Auchi Expressway and a building blocking Old Ojo Street, Uhumudumu, were marked for demolition.
Speaking to newsmen after the enforcement exercise, Enabulele, said the action was in line with the state government’s recent declaration of Edo as a planning area.
He disclosed that the state government has embarked on the design of the Edo Regional Development Master Plan, hence the need for prospective developers to seek advice and obtain building approvals from the ministry before spending money on unapproved structures.
While maintaining that the enforcement was carried out after the expiration of demand notices served on the developers, Mr. Enabulele called on the affected persons to approach the Ministry and register their buildings, warning that defaulters would be reprimanded through the instrumentality of the law.
