Nasarawa’s government will begin demolishing illegal structures, according to an official

Nasarawa’s government will begin demolishing illegal structures, according to an official.

From August 17, the Nasarawa State Urban Development Board (NUDB) will begin demolishing over 200 illegal structures in Lafia.

Mr Wada Yahaya, the board’s Managing Director (MD), made the announcement during a press conference in Lafia on Monday.

According to him, the board had served three different notices to the owners of the structures in accordance with the state’s urban development laws.

He claimed that the owners were supposed to have taken advantage of the notices by registering or showing proof of registration, but that they had failed to do so.

“The laws give us three weeks to demolish the property after the third notice is served.

“As a result, by Tuesday, Aug. 17, the board will be out on enforcement with Mobile Courts, trying defaulters in accordance with the laws,” he said.

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Apart from the non-registration of some of the structures, Yahaya claims that others were built in complete disregard of the approval granted.

He pointed out that some of the structures were built for residential use, but the owners converted them to commercial use.

He explained that, in addition to Lafia, other structures in other parts of the state had been marked for demolition for the same offense.

Those operating illegal motor parks in the state, particularly in the Lafia and Karu Local Government Areas, have been warned to vacate their sites immediately or face prosecution, according to the MD.

“All traders along the major highways in Karu and other urban areas should leave immediately as well.

“We will begin operations in Karu LGA next week to ensure that no traders are permitted to sell along the highway.

“Because the state government has provided a space for the traders at the Muhammadu Buhari International Market Karu, we can no longer tolerate them operating in unlicensed areas,” the MD added.

As a result, he advised members of the public who are interested in constructing structures of any kind to register with the board before beginning their projects in order to avoid breaking the law.