Rivers Govt Goes Tough On Cover Letters To Developers

The Rivers State government has warned officials of the special committees, compliance teams, and taskforces of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to cease issuing cover letters to developers without government-approved building plans.

The commissioner for physical planning and urban development, Hon Evans Bipi issued the warning yesterday in Port Harcourt while speaking during a meeting with the chairmen and secretaries of special committees, compliance teams, and task forces.

Bipi stated that such practices can deny the state government its revenue and encourage developers to build without a government-approved plan, which is a major cause of building collapse.

He urged them to rather sanction such defaulting developers for non-compliance and ensure they process their building plans with the ministry to increase government revenue.

He directed the ministry’s compliance teams and task forces to clamp down on violators of the law banning street trading, illegal markets, motor parks, mechanics, and others.

The commissioner reaffirmed his determination to restore order and sanity in public spaces in the state.

Bipi urged the team and task forces to refrain from actions that could undermine their objectives, tarnish the ministry’s reputation, compromise public trust, and portray the state government in a bad light.

He warned them against harassment and intimidation of the public, as well as engaging in unwholesome practices, including conversion of impounded public goods for personal use.