The Rivers State government has issued a stern warning to special committees, compliance teams, and task forces to avoid actions that could tarnish the ministry’s reputation, compromise public trust, and present the government in a negative light.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Evans Bipi, emphasized this point during a meeting with the Chairmen and Secretaries of the Compliance Committees. He cautioned them against engaging in harassment, intimidation, and unethical practices, such as converting impounded public goods for personal use.
Bipi stressed the importance of maintaining integrity, transparency, and accountability while carrying out their duties. He urged the compliance teams to approach defaulters with respect and civility rather than force.
The commissioner also warned against issuing cover letters to developers without government-approved building plans, highlighting how such practices undermine the government’s revenue and contribute to unapproved constructions, a significant factor in building collapses.
Bipi instructed the compliance teams and task forces to clamp down on violators of laws banning street trading, illegal markets, and unauthorized public space activities, until special committees are established for those purposes. He reaffirmed his commitment to restoring order and sanity to public spaces across the state.
In a related development, Bipi announced the dissolution of the special committee responsible for enforcing fencing, outline, and renovation permits, citing persistent complaints and negative public perceptions regarding its activities. A new committee, free from past entanglements, will be reconstituted to improve service delivery.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Wisdom Hebron, further cautioned the compliance teams against insubordination, highhandedness, and recklessness. He advised them to operate within the law and adhere strictly to their terms of reference.
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Meanwhile, the Assistant Director in charge of Development Control and Enforcement, Emmanuel Oti, advised a more measured approach to enforcing building laws, emphasizing that any enforcement action should be preceded by a seven-day notice of non-compliance to avoid litigation.
