The Oyo State Government has warned house owners who have converted their residential buildings to commercial use to revert or risk payment of N25 million fine.
Alhaji Waheed Gbadamosi, Director-General, Oyo State Bureau of Physical Planning and Development Control, gave the warning on Tuesday in Ibadan
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gbadamosi gave the warning at the inter-ministerial briefing organised by the state Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.
The director general, who doubles as a Special Adviser to the Governor on Physical Planning and Development Control, stated that government would not tolerate property owners flouting the law.
“It is compulsory for anyone who intends to convert residential buildings to commercial use to seek approval from government and pay the assessment fee attached.
“Those who have already converted such buildings to commercial use should revert and seek fresh approval for such or risk paying a fine of N25 million.
“We have increased the fine from N5 million to N25 million so that such would serve as deterrent to others,’’ he said.
He said no fewer than 22 radio stations without building plans had been identified, adding that they should submit their building plans and pay the required levy to government.
Gbadamosi also announced government’s plan to demolish several thousands of structures erected under power lines, flood paths and at the Ajoda new town.
He stated that over 1,000 structures has also been identified on flood paths for demolition, saying all those with approved building plan would be compensated.
Gbadamosi stated that several thousands of structures erected under the power lines and more than 200 unapproved buildings at the Ajoda new town had also been listed for demolition soon.
“ We have already demolished 114 unapproved structures at Ajoda new town and 70 per cent of filling stations across Ibadan metropolis have no approved plans.
“We won’t allow anyone in the state to take the laws for granted,’’ he said.
He stated that the state government would soon begin the construction of a railway network from Dandaru in Ibadan to Sanyo area on the Ibadan-Lagos expressway.
“We have partnered with the Federal Government on its ongoing electrified railway project which has started in Lagos through the provision of some technical services. Oyo will benefit from it,’’ he said.
Gbadamosi stated that the final Ibadan city master plan would soon be submitted to the state government, saying it was expected to be the guide for planning and development of the city.
According to him, Ibadan master plan is not a document for demolition but a guide to the planning and creation of a conducive living environment for the people.
Mr Dayo Ayorinde, Project Coordinator, Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project (IUFMP), said that the project was initiated as a result of the 2011 flooding in the state, adding that it commenced in 2015.
“Ibadan lacks plan and prone to flooding because of its topography. This is the reason why government has initiated the Ibadan master plan which is almost completed.
“We have the Ibadan city master plan, drainage master plan and solid waste master plan which will all be implemented in phases,’’ he said.
Ayorinde said that the state government had secured a 200 million dollar loan from the World Bank with a 20 years pay back tenure at two per cent interest for the project.
Ayorinde said that 18 structures had been identified as bridges and culverts for construction, adding that four were already under construction.
He stated that construction work on the remaining 14 would begin in November, adding that the second and third phases of construction would begin 2018 and 2019 respectively.
“In the list of structures for construction are Foworogi, Maje, Abonde, Olorungunwa, Isokun, Elere, Omirin to mention a few,’’ he said.
Ayorinde said that Eleyele dam in Ibadan would be upgraded to international standard while government was seeking the assistance of African Development Bank to improve water supply across the state.
(NAN)