September 02, (THEWILL) – The Bayelsa State Government has advised residents of the State capital and its environs and State Ministries and agencies, to obtain planning permits before they embark on physical development and construction activities.
The Executive Chairman, Bayelsa State Physical Planning and Development Board, Hon Kuroakegha Dorgu, also warned that those that fail to comply and obtain genuine permits, will be dragged before the physical Planning and Development Tribunal for adjunction.
Hon Kuroakegha Dorgu, who made this known at the weekend, gave this advice during a call on him by Bayelsa State House of Assembly Committee on Physical Planning and Development, as part of their oversight functions, led by Hon. EbiziI Ndiomu-Brown, emphasised the need for government ministries and agencies to always obtain building permits from the Board before embarking on any project in the state.
According to the Executive Chairman, other agencies of the federal government always complies, as whenever they wanted to carry out any building project in the state, they will first of all approach the Board to obtain building permit, pointing out that, same is applicable to the State-owned ministries and agencies.
Hon. Dorgu noted that the law establishing the board does not exempt anyone, adding that any ministry or agency that does not comply, will be taking to the Physical Planning and Development Tribunal for adjunction.
The Executive Chairman also hinted that plans were underway to carry out Urban Renewal in some areas in the city of Yenagoa. Hon. Dorgu further said that the Physical Planning and Development Board is the only agency of government that is saddled with the responsibility of planning the state aside controlling development, stressing that with the proclamation of new planning areas by the Governor of the State, Senator Douye Diri, plans will soon be designed for those area for development.
He also informed that the State government has also declared the Outer Ring Road, spanning from the AIT roundabout up until Igbogene, as the Greater Yenagoa City, adding that plans have reached an advanced stage to enlighten the communities within the corridors of the area in question.
On the challenges faced by the Board, Hon. Dorgu informed the committee that the Board lacks operational vehicles, shortage of man-power, amongst others.In all, the Executive Chairman appealed to the House Committee to collaborate with the Board to achieve it’s desired goals.
Earlier, the Chairmam of the State House of Assembly House Committee on Physical Planning and Development, Hon. EbiziI Ndiomu-Brown, had hinted that the visit was to familiarise with the board, to know their activities, as well as challenges and ways to collaborate with the Board.
She assured the board that they are going to collaborate for effective delivery of its mandate.
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