No approval sought for Sulu-Gambari Pavilion project, Kwara govt gives reason for stopping construction work
The Kwara State Geographical Information Service (KWGIS) has explained that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture has not sought or secured any approval for the ongoing construction of the Sulu-Gambari Pavilion.
In a statement issued late on Saturday by the Press Secretary of the Agency, Abdulrazaq Yusuf, the KWGIS Executive Chairman, ESV. AbdulKareem Babatunde Sulyman, stated that all development projects in the state must receive approval from the agency before construction can commence.
The Chairman noted that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture had not yet sought approval for the pavilion project, adding, “Anyone developing a project in the state must seek and secure the appropriate land use approvals as stipulated by law.”
“This is a basic requirement. When individuals or government agencies overlook or neglect such fundamental aspects of physical development law, we have a duty not only to stop them but also to impose the appropriate fines,” he said.
He added, “The Pavilion is an urban development project under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture. It is a new construction, and as such, appropriate approvals should be sought and secured before any work is done. All government projects, whether local, state, or federal, must obtain such approvals. This has not been done for this project. We have accordingly instructed the workers on site to ensure the appropriate steps are taken before resuming work.”
“This is standard urban development protocol. Development control activities are carried out as outlined in the law. It is a tool for regulating developments and ensuring safety. The agency has a duty to maintain standards, as the responsibility ultimately falls on us if such a project collapses in the future.”
Earlier on Saturday, The Informant247 reported that officials of the Kwara State Town Planning and Development Authority, accompanied by security personnel, ordered the stoppage of the ongoing construction of the Sulu-Gambari Pavilion.
The Nigerian government’s project, facilitated by Senator Saliu Mustapha and being handled by Global Legend Conglomerate Ltd, was initiated to provide a permanent pavilion for the Ilorin Emirate Annual Durbar festival and other community events and activities.
