The Edo State Government has sealed up over 14 Retail Gas Stations, residential and Commercial buildings in Uromi and Ekpoma, the administrative Headquarters of Esan North East and West Local Government Areas of the state over contraventions of planning laws.
The exercise which was carried out on Tuesday by a team from the Department of Development Control and Enforcement, Ministry of Physical Planning, Urban and Regional Development, Edo State was led by Mr Henry Enabulele, Director of Development Control and Enforcement of the Ministry.
The affected structures are Graceland Hotel & Suites, Ogah Retail Gas station, NA Godsco Retail Gas Station, Sweet Mother Furniture Showroom, Idogen Retail Gas Station, Homix Retail Gas station, uder construction Hotel Building, proposed living Estate buildings and Rain Oil Retail Gas Station.
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, welding factory, all in Uromi.
While at Ekpoma, an ongoing lockup stores along Ekpoma-Auchi Expressway and a building blocking Old Ojo Street, Uhumudumu were marked for demolition.
Speaking to newsmen after the enforcement, Town Planner Henry Enabulele, said the enforcement was in line with the State Government recent declaration of Edo as a planning area.
He disclosed that State Government has awarded contract for the design of Edo Regional Development Master Plan, hence, the need for prospective developers to seek advice and obtain building approval 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, however, called on the people to approach the Ministry and register their buildings, warning that defaulters would be reprimanded through the instrumentality of the law.
