Controversy Trails Demolition of Crystal Shopping Complex as Kwara Govt Cites Land Use Violation
As reported by Punch, a controversy has erupted in Ilorin, Kwara State, following the late-night demolition of the Crystal Shopping Complex on Sulu Gambari Road, owned by All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and former House of Representatives member, Moshood Mustapha. The demolition, which took place around 10 p.m. on Sunday under tight security, has sparked allegations of political vendetta and legal violations.
Moshood Mustapha, while condemning the demolition, described the act as politically motivated. He claimed to have obtained proper government approval for the construction of the shopping complex and argued that the state government's actions were unjustified.
However, the Kwara State Geographic Information Service (KW-GIS) responded with a statement signed by its chairman, Sulyman Andulkareem, asserting that the land had originally been allocated for a car park, not a shopping complex. According to KW-GIS, the development of corner shops on the land violated the approved land use and constituted a breach of the state's urban planning regulations.
Legal and Political Repercussions:
The incident has raised questions about the role of political influence in urban development and sparked public debates about governance and property rights in Kwara State. The security presence at the scene of the demolition further fuels speculation about the political undertones of the government's actions.
He said, “The Kwara GIS is removing the Crystal Corner shops because new findings show clearly that the owner grossly violated the government's Land Use approval issued to the owner on March 22, 2013.
“The approval was for a commercial 'car park only.'
The agency also added that “the illegal building conspicuously creates obstacles for urban planning, road expansion and environmental protection, key features of the urban renewal programme of the government”, noting that, “It is trite to say that a land allotted for a car park cannot and should not become corner shops which it became overnight.”
The agency said tenants occupying the shops had been asked to remove their goods, adding that the ongoing urban renewal programme was in the best interest of the public.
“The programme is neutral to affiliations as many defaulting properties had earlier been removed for similar reasons, and it will be unfair to give preferential treatment to any structure above the larger interest of the public”, it added.
Nonetheless, the government's explanation notwithstanding, Mustapha, in a viral video posted from The Netherlands late on Sunday, said the demolition of his building was politically motivated as the government gave a three-hour eviction notice to the tenants on Saturday and demolished the building on Sunday night.
“Governor AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq demolished my property because of the little political disagreement I have with him. Though we are both members of the APC, I disagree with him because of his one-man show of running the state government and his low performance.
“As a result of this disagreement, he promised to destroy my property and all my investments in the state”, Mustapha alleged.
Cloud Tag: What's trending
Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.
Kwara Restoration Project Sulyman Buhari Ballah Ijagbo Kwara State University Of Education Kolade Solagberu Ayedun Yusuf Babatunde Abdulwahab Bank Of Industry Oko-Olowo Ilorin.Info Nagode Arik Yusuf Lanre Badmas GANZY Alanamu Noah Yusuf Taofik Mustapha Idris Garba Igosun Oluronke Adeyemi Lola Ashiru Laolu Saraki Olaoye B. Felix Michael Ologundea Okin High School Issa Manzuma Salihu S. Yaru Olayinka Are Abraham Ojo General Hospital Baba Adini Of Kwara State Sulyman Abdulkareem Adeleke Ogungbe Ibrahim Labaika Playing Host Kwara TV Saudat Abdulbaqi Sarah Alade Umar Adelodun Special Adviser On Digital Innovation Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency National Broadcasting Commission Michael Imoudu National Institute For Labour Studies Gaa Olobi Olabode Towoju Samuel Adaramola Abatemi Usman Federal College Of Education (Special), Afon Chikanda Elerin Of Erin-Ile Valsolar Consortium Owo Arugbo Chief Of Staff Modibbo Kawu Abdullahi Imam Abdullahi Akom Construction And Engineering Synergy Ltd Frootify RTEAN Bature Bello Agor Market Yusuf Olaolu Ali Mamman Saba Jibril Oke-opin Chemiroy Nigeria Limited Col. Adedipe Nigerian Medical Association Afin Descendants Union Of Odo-Owa Modibo Kawu Abubakar B.M Lotus Bank National Pilot CLAY POT Balogun Gambari Sodiya Ajidagba Abdulkadir Jimoh

