From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Government has advised residents of Yenagoa, Bayelsa 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, 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 adjudication.
Hon Kuroakegha Dorgu made this known at the weekend during a call on him by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly Committee on Physical Planning and Development as part of their oversight functions.
According to Dorgu it is important for government ministries and agencies to always obtain building permits from the Board before embarking on any project in the state.
Dorgu, who disclosed that agencies of the federal government always comply by requesting for building permits for any building project being embarked upon in the state, pointed out that the same is applicable to the state owned ministries and agencies.
He noted that the law establishing the Board does not exempt any one, adding that any ministry or agency that does not comply will be taken to the Physical Planning and Development Tribunal for adjudication.
The Executive Chairman while hinting on plans to carry out Urban Renewal in some areas in the city of Yenagoa explained that the Board is the only agency of government that is saddled with the responsibility of planning the state aside controlling development.
He declared that with the proclamation of new planning areas by the Governor, Senator Douye Diri, plans will soon be designed for those areas for development.
He also disclosed 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 manpower amongst others.
He seized the opportunity to appeal to the House Committee to collaborate with the Board to achieve its desired goals.
Earlier, the Chairman of the State House of Assembly House Committee on Physical Planning and Development, Hon. EbiziI Ndiomu-Brown had stated that the visit was to familiarize 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 with the Board for effective delivery of its mandate.
