The Executive Chairman, Bayelsa State Physical Planning and Development Board, Alabo Gideon Ekeuwei has re-emphasized the need for land developers to always engage the Board before carrying out any form of development in the state.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Board, following the collapse of a church building under construction, belonging to the Assemblies of God Church, off Ebi’s Mechanic Road, Amarata, Yenagoa.
Investigations revealed that the incident occurred at night in the month of July, 2022 and was hidden from the relevant authorities until it was noticed by officials of the Board who were on routine patrol on Monday, September 5, 2022.
In line with the provisions of the law establishing the Board, it is compulsory that land developers must first seek approval from the Board before embarking on any form of development.
The statement noted that the Board has the personnel with the requisite technical know-how in Building Construction, stressing that it is disheartening for land developers to always engage quacks to carry out their development.
The statement further informed members of the public that investigation into the circumstances that led to the collapse of the said building has commenced, pointing out that pending the outcome of the investigation, the collapsed Assemblies of God Church building off Ebi’s Mechanic Road has been sealed and under the custody of the Bayelsa State Government as provided for in sections 59 and 62 of the Bayelsa State Physical Planning and Development Law, 2015. All individuals or group of individuals are hereby barred from the precinct of the church.
Therefore, the leadership of the Assemblies of God Church are hereby requested to visit the Bayelsa State Physical Planning and Development Board at the Transparency Plaza, Central Business District (CDB), Isaac Boro Expressway Extension, Yenagoa, with all relevant documents relating to the collapsed building.
