The Kwara State Geographic Information Services (KWGIS) has disclosed that the ongoing construction of Sulu-Gambari pavilion at the forecourt of the Emir of Ilorin palace, which reportedly began yesterday, was stopped due to lack of application and consequent approval for land use from the agency.

In a statement by the Press Secretary KW-GIS, Abdulrazaq Yusuf, the agency insisted that anyone developing a project in the state ought to seek and secure appropriate land use approvals as stipulated under the law, noting that it has been running different enlightenment campaigns on the radio in this regard.

KWGIS Executive Chairman, ESV Abdulkareem Babatunde Sulyman said, “This is a basic thing. Where people or agency of government overlook or neglect such basic requirements of physical development law, we have a duty to not just stop them but to also impose appropriate fines.

“The Pavilion is an urban development project under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture. It is a new construction. As such, appropriate approvals ought to be sought and secured before anything is done. All government projects, local, state, and federal, get such approvals. This has not been done for the project. We have accordingly directed workers on site to do the appropriate thing before they resume work.

“This is a standard urban development protocol. Development Control activities are carried out as spelt out in the law. It’s a tool for regulating developments and ensuring safety. The agency has a duty to maintain standards because the buck stops on its table if such a project collapses in the future.

“At the moment, Peace Pharmaceutical along Asa Dam bypass and HRA along Lubcon Road were carrying out large-scale construction activities without requisite approval. Both projects were sealed off while the proponents were mandated to carry out the requirements of the law before they could commence further work at the sites.”