The Gombe State Urban Planning Development Authority (GOSUPDA) has revealed that the demolition of an illegal structure belonging to the Gombe Good Leadership Association was carried out in the spirit of the ongoing reclamation of the development masterplan as well as the maintenance of the state’s current tranquility.
Executive chairman of GOSUPDA, Group Captain Peter Bilal (rtd) stated this while addressing journalists shortly after supervising the demolition exercise of the unauthorised structure which was clandestinely converted into a campaign office of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Gombe State, Mohammed Jibrin Barde.
He stated that the demolition was necessary because the building in question not only violated some sections of the Land Use Act Decree of 1978, but also urban and regional planning and development board law of 2001 and other development laws of the state but was also turned into buzzing political arena in a location directly opposite the presidential lodge within the Government House vicinity and area clearly marked for residential and Government offices.
Such, he claimed, is capable of jeopardizing security if allowed to function as a political office.
On December 29, 2021, an organization, Gombe Good Leadership Association, applied for and received approval for the erection of a temporary structure for the conduct of its affairs, but activities at the site took a different turn when the state Urban Planning Development Authority noticed the construction of a permanent building in contravention of the earlier approval.
He noted: “The authority in several notices, had asked the Association to come forward to regularize their documents but they didn’t.
“It was later claimed that one Jibrin Barde, the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party was given the said property. However if that happened as claimed, the new owner has the responsibility to effect a change of ownership before embarking on any construction.
“The right to own and enjoy possession of property has corresponding obligations that must be complied with,” the development authority explained.
Bilal stated that the Authority approached the construction site and served stop and demolition notices as part of its statutory responsibilities as enshrined in Section 27 of the Gombe State Urban Planning and Development 2011.
Despite a partial demolition of the structure to allow the buildings’ owners to conduct a controlled demolition, he said, illegal construction work continued with the erection of billboards belonging to the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate in the State, indicating that the site had been converted to a party office.
The executive chairman of GOSUPDA stated that the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya is committed to the establishment of law and order in the state and will not sit back and watch the actions of individuals or groups capable of disrupting the state’s peace.
He explained that GOSUPDA’s work and operations are guided by the provisions of its established laws rather than directives from any political party or figure.
