The Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State, Evans Bipi, has ordered the immediate stoppage of the construction of a multi-purpose town due to alleged violations of the area’s development master plan.

The project was initiated by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Chief Boma Iyaye.

However, Bipi insisted that the developer did not obtain approval from the local government council before initiating the project.

During an on-the-spot assessment of some projects in Ogu-Bolo LGA, Bipi stated that the project was sited at the wrong location, noting that the land belongs to the community.

and belongs to the community. As the CTC Chairman of Ogu-Bolu local government area, I am also the Chief Security Officer. All lands are in my custody in trust for the people according to the bylaws that regulate customary land. This is the only land we have in this new layout, a new sand-filled area which is fast developing. We don’t have any other playground.”

This area in the allocation is green. It is an open area for a recreational centre for ceremonies and all that. But as the Chief Security Officer, I am not aware of the project. I am also not aware that this is the site for the project. Looking at the edifice, this land cannot befit that project,” Bipi stated.

He, however, mentioned that the council is open to discussions with the developer to move the project to the appropriate location by the development master plan of the area.