Ondo south monarchs back Aiyedatiwa’s urban renewal agenda


…task govt. to strengthen ministry staff, ensure enforcement against illegal structures

By Our Correspondent 

Traditional rulers in the Ondo Southern Senatorial District have pledged their cooperation and support for the activities of the State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development towards the actualisation of Governor Lucky  Aiyedatiwa’s physical development and urban renewal initiatives.
The monarchs made the commitment during a two-day sensitisation and stakeholders’ engagement held  at the palaces of notable kings in the region. They expressed gratitude to Governor Aiyedatiwa for approving the first-of-its-kind engagement aimed at achieving orderly physical and urban development across towns and cities in the district and the state at large.
The traditional rulers lamented the continuous increase in indiscriminate construction of buildings without adherence to state town planning laws, rules and regulations. These infractions, they said, included the construction of substandard houses, putting up structures on river courses, blockage of access roads, and building on government setbacks and public lands.

Acc
ording to them, the lackadaisical attitude and deliberate violation of town planning laws by many builders have led to avoidable disasters and destruction of lives and property, including building collapse, flooding, incessant land disputes and land grabbing across several communities. They emphasised that such actions threaten well-ordered development and the well-being of residents.
They therefore called on the state government to strengthen and adequately equip the ministry’s staff for effective monitoring and enforcement. They stressed that any contravention or illegal structure should be demolished as a deterrent to others. The monarchs reaffirmed their full support for government efforts to maintain order in the physical development sector.
Speaking to journalists at the end of the engagement, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Hon. Sunday Olajide, said Governor Aiyedatiwa approved the sensitisation exercise across the three senatorial districts to educate residents on the need to comply with town planning laws and to dispel the misconception that obtaining permits is not required before construction.

 Olajide noted that the engagement had further enlightened communities on the importance of obtaining government approvals. He added that applications can be submitted directly to the Ministry through Area Town Planning Officers in all 18 Local Government Areas, without involving agents or third parties.

The Commissioner also announced the approval of the Okitipupa Development Plan Order by the State Executive Council, a project facilitated by the Federal Government. He added that residents are now better informed about the benefits of obtaining necessary permits and the consequences of violating physical planning laws.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Chief Oluwagbenga Akingbasote, stated that engaging town planners, traditional rulers, professionals in the building industry, artisans, religious leaders and community heads would promote orderly and sustainable development.

He said the sensitisation exercise would drastically reduce contraventions, infringements and violations of extant laws, thereby minimising the burden of demolishing illegal structures.

According to him, similar sensitisation and engagement programmes will continue in the Central and Northern Senatorial Districts.

A key speaker at the two-day event and Director of the Master Plan Department, TPL Abimbola Tofowomo, said participants were enlightened on the need to engage qualified professionals in processing layout plans, surveys, building and development approvals before commencing construction. This, he noted, would enhance orderliness and improve the aesthetic value of communities.

The Commissioner and his team visited the palaces of the Ahaba of Ajagba in Irele; the Odogun of Igbekebo in Ese-Odo; the Olu of Igbokoda in Ilaje; the Jegun of Idepe in Okitipupa; the Orunja of Odigbo in Odigbo; and the Jegun of Ile-Oluji for the sensitisation and stakeholders’ engagement.

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