Ekiti govt seals buildings allegedly owned by Fayose

TWO buildings under construction in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital allegedly linked to the immediate past governor of the state, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, have been sealed off by the state government.

The government, acting through the Ministry of Housing, Physical Planning and Urban Development, claimed that its action was because the buildings lacked approved plan and necessary permits.

The government said the erection of the buildings contravened the laws guiding urban renewal regulations of the state.

The twin duplexes, located at the Government Reservation Area (GRA) in Ado Ekiti were sealed through a document from the ministry attached to the gates of the construction site, but bore no names.

The document dated October 18, 2018 also ordered the contractors to suspend work or present documents approving the construction to the ministry.

The document, signed by the Director of Urban and Regional Planning in the Ministry said: “It was discovered during inspection by the inspectorate staff of our ministry that a residential building by you at GRA has no approved plan/permit for the site or bring same to our office to get certification for the erection.”

“You are hereby ordered to suspend the use of the building premises until approved plan is submitted for clearance.”

However, in a reaction to the development, the Chief Press Secretary to former Governor Fayose, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, said Fayose knew nothing about the building, saying if they had “documents linking him to the construction, they should present it.”

Adelusi said the sealing was a “vindictive action over issue that doesn’t worth government’s attention.”

Adelusi said: “The property in question does not belong to Fayose. Fayemi’s government should produce evidence linking the former government to the property.

“Fayose has said he was ready for probe and that he will appear in person before any panel set up by Fayemi. So, why the desperation?

“Our advise is that Fayemi should place high premium on payment of the workers’ salary arrears since N30bn is already in his custody released by the Federal Government and not embarking on witch hunting or disparaging his predecessor. The money should not be used to fund the election petition filed against him.

“He should hurry up to do all he could for the benefit of common Ekiti people because time is not on his side.”