Benue To Demolish Houses Contravening Laws

The General Manager of Benue Urban Development Board, Mr Abraham Gbileeka, has revealed that agency has marked about 300 buildings that contravened law for demolition in Makurdi

Mr. Gbileeka, in an interview with NAN, said that most of the building that have been marked for demolition were built on on water channels.

“It’s true that people are building on water channels and it is our responsibility as a board to stop them; the only action we have to sustain the right thing.

“Once we discover that you have not received a legitimate approval from the board and you have gone ahead to build, we serve you a notice which will lead to demolition.

“So, at the moment, we already have 300 houses marked for demolition in Makurdi alone,’’ he said.

He added that apart from the fact that the stuctures affected were built on water channels, they lack government approvals.

Gbilekaa said that areas that would be affected “are Nyiman extension, Achussa, Genabe, Owner Occupier, Wadata and High-level, Naka Road and some communities in North Bank.’’

He pointed out, however, that a structure that is marked does not mean that it will be automatically demolished, it could imply that such building has no records with the Board.

Gbilekaa warned the residents of the state against raising illegal structures that such buildings stand the risk of being demolished.

He also advised them to ensure that due process was followed when obtaining approval for their structures.