By Amgbare Prince, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Government has advised residents of the State Capital, its environs, 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 who failed to comply and obtain genuine permit would be dragged through
the physical Planning and Development Tribunal to face trial
Hon Kuroakegha Dorgu gave the charge at the weekend during a courtesy call on him by Bayelsa State House of Assembly Committee on Physical Planning and Development as part of their oversight functions led by Hon. Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown.
He emphasized the need for government ministries and agencies to always obtain building permit from the Board before embarking on any project in the state.
According to the Executive Chairman, other agencies of the federal government always comply, 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 any one, adding that any ministry or agency that does not comply, will be dragged 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 was the only agency of government that was 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, plan to design the designated areas for development.
He also informed that the state government had 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 needs amongst others.
In all, the Executive Chairman appealed to the House Committee to collaborate with the Board to achieve its desired goals.
Earlier, the Chairmam of the State House of Assembly House Committee on Physical Planning and Development, Hon. Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown had hinted 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.
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