…Redemolishes Illegally Re-built Gala House in Bogo, BCJ

By Adamu Abubakar Kumo and Saeed Ahmad Bappah, Gombe

The Gombe State Urban Planning Development Authority (GOSUPDA) has visited the site of the illegal quarry operation in the Shehu Abubakar District to assess the extent of damage caused.

Speaking briefly to newsmen after visiting the site for an on-the-spot assessment, GOSUPDA Executive Chairman Alh. Bappayo Samanja Maudo expressed his dismay over the incident.

He noted that the area had been earmarked for the development of a three-arm zone housing the executive, legislative, and judiciary complexes.

“Despite significant government investment in reclaiming the land, the illegal quarry operation had caused significant damage to the area”, he lamented.

“The area, required significant government investment to make it suitable for development. The illegal removal of materials has not only devalued the land but also incurred additional costs for the government to restore the area”, Maudo added.

The Executive Chairman said the culprit, who is a woman, had been illegally excavating and selling sand and laterite from the site. The authorities have taken action to arrest the individual and will pursue legal proceedings.

GOSUPDA has also uncovered a Gala House which was previously demolished to have been illegally reconstructed. The authority has demolished the unauthorized structure and warned against such illegal activities.

Regarding temporary structures along major roads, the GOSUPDA Chairman noted that many owners have begun to comply with the directive. Residents in the Tumfure area, in particular, have started relocating their structures to adhere to approved setbacks or removing them entirely, especially those encroaching on rights-of-way and pedestrian paths.

Additionally, street vendors have also complied with the directive, leading to a more organized and safer urban environment. GOSUPDA will continue its monitoring efforts to ensure full compliance with the Governor’s directives and development regulations.

The Chairman urged individuals planning to construct or modify structures to obtain necessary permits from the authority.

“This will help prevent illegal conversions and ensure that all developments adhere to safety and building standards towards creating a more organized and aesthetically pleasing urban environment”, he said.