The Kogi State Town Planning Board has reportedly ordered
that work on Senator Dino Melaye’s constituency office at Kabba, Kogi State
should stop forthwith.
Publicity Secretary of the All Progressive Congress (APC),
Ijumu Local Government Area, Mr Gbenga Bright made this claim in a statement
issued during the weekend.
He alleged that there was “desperate move” by the state
government to stop work at the Kogi-West constituency office being built at
Kabba, the headquarters of Kogi-west by Senator Dino Melaye.
“Information reliably gathered had it that the governor
issued a directive to the GM, Kogi State Town
Planning and Kabba Bunu LGA
administrator, Mr Moses Tolorunleke, via Kabba/Bunu Local Government Council
town planners to issue (a stop work) directive with their satanic intention to
frustrate the finishing torches going on at the site.
“I also wish to inform the public, our esteemed party
leaders, members and the loyal electorate of Kogi-west senatorial district that
all necessary legal rules, payment and processes of town planning procedures
for the project were done satisfactorily, and all papers given to us before the
commencement of the building which is now due for commissioning.
“Senator Dino Melaye is bringing development to Kabba town,
and a governor who hasn’t done anything positive for Kogi people, despite huge
resources collected so far, is attempting to stop development and progress.
“Surely, this move by the Kogi State government is not in
tune with the yearnings and aspirations of the good people of Kabba and
Kogi-west in general,” the statement said.
Responding, the General Manager of Kogi State Town Planning
and Development Board, Yisau O. Aliu said the recent clampdown on violators of
town planning laws in the state had no political undertone as being
alleged.
“We want to state categorically that the state Town Planning
and Development Board is not a political body but a government agency with
clearly stated and defined mandate.
“The agent was advised to seek alternative site or possibly
acquire more space to meet up with the required ratio and process relevant
title documents but he failed to adhere to the directives and went ahead to
develop the said site.
“Several ‘stop work’ notices were served without response
from the developer or his agent. The State Town Planning and Development Board
had no option than to enforce relevant laws, hence, the marking of the
structure.
“Mr. Gbenga Bright did a massive disservice to the public by
attributing the marking of the building to politics when all available facts
point to gross violation of town planning laws by the developer. If the
building is allowed, it will constitute a great danger to its inhabitants and
immediate environment.
“As a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and an
anti-corruption crusader, it is expected that he will fight against any act of
law infringement.
“We expect the senator to lead the fight against lawlessness
and recklessness on the part of people in high places. No amount of blackmail
can force us to succumb to the blatant irregularities which characterized the
development of the said constituency office of Senator Dino Melaye. The law is
a no respecter of anybody,” Aliu said.
By Ameh Comrade Godwin
