The Kwara State Geographic Information Services (KWGIS) has reiterated that all development projects within the state must seek and obtain the necessary land use approvals as mandated by law.

In a recent statement, KWGIS highlighted that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture had neither sought nor secured approval for the Pavilion project, underscoring the importance of compliance with legal requirements. The organisation also noted that several projects have been halted due to non-compliance with these regulations. To raise awareness, KWGIS has been conducting various enlightenment campaigns on radio platforms, educating the public about the necessity of obtaining proper approvals before embarking on developmental initiatives.

"This is a basic thing. Where people or agency of government overlook or neglect such basic requirements of physical development law, we have a duty to not just stop them but to also impose appropriate fines," KWGIS Executive Chairman ESV. ABDULKAREEM BABATUNDE SULYMAN said in a statement on Saturday.

"The Pavilion is an urban development project under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture. It is a new construction. As such, appropriate approvals ought to be sought and secured before anything is done. All government projects, local, state, and federal, get such approvals. This has not been done for the project. We have accordingly directed workers on site to do the appropriate thing before they resume work.

"This is a standard urban development protocol. Development Control activities are carried out as spelt out in the law. It's a tool for regulating developments and ensuring safety. The agency has a duty to maintain standards because the buck stops on its table if such a project collapses in the future.

"At the moment, Peace Pharmaceutical along Asa Dam bypass and HRA along Lubcon Road were carrying out large-scale construction activities without requisite approval. Both projects were sealed off while the proponents were mandated to carry out the requirements of the law before they could commence further work at the sites."