Delta Assembly Frowns at Erection of Street Gates Without Govt’s Approval

The Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Lands, Survey and Urban Development has condemned the erection of street gates without government’s approval.

The Committee Chairman, Hon Reuben Izeze disclosed this at a committee sitting with the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Urban Development led by the Commissioner, Mr Churchill Amagada.

The meeting of the committee with the officials of the Lands, Survey and Urban Development Ministry was held at the State House of Assembly Assembly Complex, Asaba.

The Chairman of the Committee, Hon Reuben Izeze said it was wrong for individuals to illegally barricade streets constructed by government for whatever reason.

He said most of the barricades are serious burdens to other road users as sometimes nobody was available to open the gates when the need arose.

Hon Izeze enjoined the ministry to look into the issue and come up with solutions to it, even as he promised sustained collaboration with it to deliver its mandate to Deltans.

The Lawmaker said the meeting was to take an appraisal of the activities of the Ministry since the 2020 budget was passed, and to fashion out how best to achieve government’s policies and programmes.

Some members of the Committee including, Honorables Ferguson Onwo, Emomotimi Guwor and Shedrack Rapu raised concern over the absence of approved master plans for major cities in the state, many years after creation.

Meeting of Delta Assembly Committee on Lands, Survey and Urban Development with State Ministry

The Commissioner for Lands, Survey, and Urban Development, Mr. Churchill Amagada said the Ministry never gave approval to anyone or individuals to erect street gates on public roads.

While assuring to take a holistic approach on the matter, the Commissioner called on the House Committee to assist to stop the trend.

Mr. Amagada said the Ministry was making progress in fine tuning the Master plan for the state initiated by previous administration.

He pointed out that when it is completed the master plan would serve as a development blueprint for government.

The Commissioner confirmed that there is no approved master plan for all major towns in the state, disclosing that the ministry uses regulations and standards as a guide in the absence of master plans.

Mr Amagada said the Ministry was in the process of establishing a land bank for the state to enable investors have access to land for their investments.

Responding to questions raised by Hon Izeze, the Commissioner stated that it was very difficult now for government to acquire land from communities for public infrastructure and convert it for private uses.

He said the ministry would continue to pull down buildings and other structures blocking natural water ways.

Mr Amagada explained that focus of the ministry is completing all its ongoing project especially those abandoned.