Funmi Olaitan, Ibadan
Towards regulating the development of lands in the state, Oyo State government has warned property owners not to deviate from originally approved building plans without seeking physical planning approvals.
The state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun, who made the disclosure in a statement, said the state government had requested for state Planning approvals from the University College Hospital (UCH), Kola Daisi University and the University of Ibadan, on some of their structures.
He also listed Ajayi Crowder University, Adebayo Akande Hall, EcoBank PLc branch at Ajayi Crowther University, among other properties that are expected to provide their physical development plans, stating that disruptions of approved plans by developers, contravened extant planning laws of the state and appropriate sanctions would be applied.
According to him. the government’s action is based on the State Government Development Control power under the 1999 Federal Constitution and Land Act as amended and affirmed by the Supreme Court verdict of June 13th of 2003 which states that each state government is solely responsible for Urban and Regional Planning or the REGULATIONS of Physical Development of lands within its administrative boundary.
Arulogun explained that the government had also directed developers of an office complex at Ring Road, Ibadan, Cobble Stone Properties Estates Ltd and an event centre at 41, Awolowo Avenue, Old Bodija, Ibadan, Molola Company Limited, to remove the offensive parts of the structures or pay a penal fee each of N250,000,000.00 (Two hundred and Fifty Million Naira) Only, for deviating from the building plans approved for the organisations.
He maintained that the government frowns at the attitude of property owners and developers turning their residential buildings to commercial ones without adequate recourse to the extant building laws and additional approvals from the appropriate government office.
He insisted that the government would not tolerate the contravention of building laws, noting that it is imperative for the people of the state to be compliant with the necessary planning laws and building instructions so as to avert any danger or indiscriminate development.
The commissioner, quoting from a letter sent to Managing Director of Molola Company on July 20, 2017 and signed by TPl P.O. Adesope on behalf of General Manager of Oyo State Housing Corporation, said “it will be recalled that you have deviated from the building plan approved for you on the 14th September, 2015 by inadequate set-back at the rear end (annexure I).
“Also, construction of 8 units of toilets within the space approved for parking lots in the ground floor of the building leading to inadequate parking space and a sketch showing the construction and defaults identified is hereby attached (see annexure II).”
Arulogun stated that the company had been strongly advised to remove the offensive part of the structure or pay a penal fee within two weeks from the date of the July 20th letter, explaining that the well-being and safety of the people of the state is important to government as well as controlled development in line with the recently received Ibadan masterplan.
